The shifts end on a depressing note, as Whitman allows his final reaction to be of grief. The third and last stanza is a combination and reflection of both moods. The last four lines of each stanza (indented) are morbid, as the reader is reminded that the captain is dead. In the first two stanzas, the first few lines express relief and celebration. This poem follows a general pattern, fluctuating between the joy of victory and sadness of death. Whitman ultimately decides on the latter, leaving the poem and the nation on a depressing, conflicted note. Both choices seem impossible, as the poem's structure implies (varying between happy and sad, happy and sad). Whitman, along with the rest of the nation, cannot decide whether to rejoice over the hard-fought victory that Lincoln brought or to honor a great leader and mourn his death. The tone of this poem is despairingly conflicted. Furthermore, there is interesting diction in this poem, in parts as: "O heart! heart! heart!," "Hear Captain! dear father!," or "Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!" The exclamation points (along with those in the title) make the poem more dramatic, adding tension and desperation to the emotions already existing.
This reinforces the shock that he experiences, as "falling," being "knocked out cold," or "dropping dead" are all sudden and unexpected. Along with this, Whitman also employs the use of repetition, repeating the phrase "fallen cold and dead" at the end of each stanza. The last four lines of each stanza is a gruesome, chilling, bone-numbing description of the death of a hero. First, Whitman fully utilizes imagery to shock the reader. There are also a variety of literary devices in this poem. In essence, the poem is a very simple yet effective extended metaphor. This poem has many connotations, as it all is just one gigantic metaphor to the assassination of President Lincoln and the Civil War: the "Captain" is Abraham Lincoln and the "prizes" are the victories of the Union. We're all safe, the ship's anchored, and the journey is finally over įor all the challenges, we return victorious.īut Captain, even as we celebrate our victory, we mourn your death. The people revere you, eager to follow you, this courageous hero.īut Captain, though I wish this was a dream, you are dead.Ĭaptain, you don't answer me you're without pulse or will. Now, we're almost back home, and everyone is excitedly awaiting our return.īut Captain, though I cannot believe it, you are dead.īe proud, for we are honoring you and your contributions We've faced much struggle, but we have accomplished our goals Through this analysis, it is possible to predict the poem as a tribute to truly beloved captain.Ĭaptain, we have finally finished this long, difficult journey The use of the word "O" and "My" makes the title very personal, making it an intimate and emotional call. In addition, it adds a sense of urgency and sets the mood for the entire poem (in which the phrase is repeated multiple times). There are two key details to this title: first, there are exclamation points second, there is the use of the word "O." The exclamation points suggest that this a dramatic, intense call or tribute to a respected leader. This title is most likely literal/denotative as a call to one's beloved captain.