What Does the Poet Mean by ‘Our Fearful Trip is Done’?
O Captain! My Captain! is a notable literary work by Walt Whitman. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of O Captain! My Captain!.
Answer
What does the poet mean by “Our fearful trip is done?” [NU: 2015, 19, 21] ★★★
In “O Captain! My Captain!” (1865), Walt Whitman (1819-1892) mourns the death of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was assassinated just after the victory in the American Civil War (1861-1865). In this poem, the captain represents Abraham Lincoln. The ship represents America. So, “fearful trip” means the terrible American Civil War.
The Fearful Trip: The Civil War was a very hard and painful time for the country. Thousands of people died, and the nation was broken into two parts. But finally, the war ended. The then president, Abraham Lincoln, led the nation to victory and to be united. The war ended the slavery system. So, when Whitman says “Our fearful trip is done,” he means that the war is over and America has reached safety.
The Ship and the Captain: In the poem, Whitman compares America to a ship. The “ship” has faced strong storms and dangers, but it has reached the harbor safely. The “Captain” of the ship is Abraham Lincoln. He is the leader who guided the nation through the Civil War. Whitman writes:
“…The prize we sought is won.”
Here the “prize” is won means that slavery has been abolished. Freedom has been secured. The people are celebrating this great victory.
Although the fearful trip is finished, the poet cannot feel happy. The Captain, Abraham Lincoln, has been killed. As we see in the poem:
“Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.”
Whitman mourns because the leader did not live to see the celebration.
Hence, “Our fearful trip is done” means the Civil War is finally over. The ship (America) is safe, but the Captain (Lincoln) is gone. This is a moment of victory, but also a great loss for the nation.