NAME-DEEPANSHI YADAV
DEPARTMENT/SEC- ENGLISH/A
ROLLNO. - 23/0314
PAPER NAME- AMERICAN LITERATURE
Ques. Walt Whitman writes a touching tribute to Abraham Lincoln through ‘O captain!
My Captain’. Elaborate on Whitman’s poetic devices that undertake this exercise.
In 1865, the Poem “O captain, My Captain was featured in his collection leaves of Grass. It is
one of several poems he wrote to Abraham Lincoln in the months on after Lincoln’s
assassination April 15, 1865. Whitman was deeply affected by the assassination of President
Abraham Lincoln. Despite his satisfaction with the outcome of the Civil War, Whitman
experienced great sorrow over the loss of his esteemed “Captain”. Lincoln, who led the United
States during the American Civil War, was also committed to secure freedom and dignity for
enslaved Black Americans.
Whitman’s O Captain! My Captain! is a deeply emotional elegy mourning the death of Abraham
Lincoln while celebrating his leadership and the Union’s victory in the Civil War. O Captain! My
Captain stands one of Whitman’s notable Poem with extended metaphor, regular meter and
rhyme.
Whitman employs several poetic devices to craft a moving tribute that captures both personal
grief and national reverence. Some key poetic devices he uses include:
1. Extended Metaphor (Allegory)
Whitman skillfully utilizes various metaphors in ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ to represent the
United States as a ship and President Lincoln as its captain. The turmoil of the Civil War waged
against the Southern States is represented as the tumultuous voyage undertaken by the captain,
thereby magnifying the broader historical significance embedded within the poetic lament.
However, the Captain’s death at the moment of triumph reflects Lincoln’s assassination right
after securing victory. This metaphor makes the poem more accessible and relatable, allowing
readers to process their grief through familiar imagery.
2. Apostrophe (Direct Address)
The Apostrophe is one of Whitman’s Favored poetic technique, and is maintained through the
first two stanzas of the poem. The poem is addressed to Lincoln but without referring Lincoln
by his name. The exclamation "O Captain! My Captain!" conveys urgency and emotional
intensity, emphasizing personal loss and devotion. This device makes the tribute feel intimate
and heartfelt, as if Whitman is speaking directly to Lincoln. “O captain, dear father”
exclamation emphasized on the personal and emotional relationship he felt with Lincoln even
though he never met him.
3. Repetition for Emphasis
The repetition of the exclamation “O captain, my captain! intensifies the emotion and
mourning throughout the poem. Also, the phrase “Fallen cold and dead” at the end of each
stanza, underscores the tragedy of the Lincoln’s death. “O heart! heart! heart” expressed the
shock and grief that Poet felt when he found Lincoln murdered. Thus, Repetition in this poem
has been employed by Whitman to convey to the speaker’s overwhelming sadness, making the
reader feel the depth of his emotional pain.
4. Contrast Between Triumph and Tragedy
In this poem, Whitman juxtaposes the emotions of triumph, celebration with the emotions of
grief and losses at the end of the poem. "The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we
sought is won" conveys triumph where as O heart! heart! heart! / O the bleeding drops of
red" highlights personal devastation. While the battle of freedom, civil war is won but at the cost
of the Lincoln’s assassination, the leader who actually perpetuated the movement of liberty for
the oppressed sections. Thus, in this poem there exists both the celebration and mourning. This
contrast intensifies the poet’s and the people’s grief, heightening the poem’s artistic impact.
5. Imagery (Visual and Sensory Descriptions)
This poem has employed several vivid imagery to create a strong emotional response among the
readers. The use of imagery such as “Flag is Flung” and “bugle trills” articulate the Victorious
mood where as “pale and still” marked the scene of death of Lincoln. The blending of
celebratory and mournful imagery intensifies the poem’s emotional depth.
6. Rhyme and Rhythm
Whitman has used rhyme, meter and regular stanza in this poem unlike the unrestrained free
verse of “Leaves of Grass”. Amphibrach meter has been used to create a musical and flowing
effect, reinforcing both the celebratory and mournful tones of the poem. The rhythmic flow
makes the poem more lyrical and solemn, akin to a funeral march. This departure from
Whitman’s typical style reflects the formal reverence he has for Lincoln.
7. Symbolism
Whitman has used Symbolism throughout the poem to mark the end of the slavery and the
beginning of new life for the oppressed/exploited Black people in America.
Symbolism that has been used:
“The Fearful trip” = The civil war
“The prize we sought is won” = End of slavery, Liberty of the oppressed one and the
preservation of the Union
“Captain” = Leader ‘Abraham Lincoln’
"The ship" = The United States.
CONCLUSION
Through his use of metaphor, apostrophe, repetition, imagery, and contrast, Whitman transforms
O Captain! My Captain! into a powerful tribute that captures both national triumph and personal
mourning. The structured form, along with emotional depth, makes it one of the most poignant
elegies in American literature, ensuring Lincoln’s legacy remains immortalized in poetic form.
