How Does the Poet Express his Grief Over the Death of the Captain? 

Answer

How does Whitman express his grief over the death of the captain? [NU: 2018]

Walt Whitman’s (1819-1892) poem “O Captain! My Captain!” (1865) is an elegy written for Abraham Lincoln after his death. The captain of the ship is a symbol of Lincoln. The ship represents America. Here is how Whitman expresses his grief over the death of the captain.

Deep Sorrow: At the beginning, the poet says their “fearful trip” is done. He does not yet realize that the captain is dead. The ship has weathered the storm and reached the port. It means the deadly Civil War (1861-1865) is over and the nation is united. Suddenly, the poet notices that the captain of the ship is dead.

“Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.”

The captain’s dead body is on the deck. Whitman feels shock and deep sorrow. As he says,

“But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red.”

These lines show Whitman’s deep pain over the death of the captain. He cannot believe that the captain has died just as the journey ends.

Shock and Disbelief: The poet is so shocked that he thinks it is a dream. He tells the captain to wake up and hear the victory bells. He tells him that people are waving flags and bringing flowers to honor him. However, the captain does not answer. He lies cold and dead on the deck. So, the poet’s sorrow is mixed with shock and disbelief.

Loneliness: We also see that Whitman is feeling lonely. The captain ensured victory for the people. Everyone on the shore is celebrating the victory. But the poet is lonely on the deck where the captain lies—

“Fallen cold and dead.”

With this loneliness, the poet is also expressing the deep sorrow in his heart.

In short, Whitman expresses his grief for Lincoln (captain) through