Sacrifices are needed for victory, and in fairness of life a person responsible for victories may not enjoy them.ġ0. Whitman chooses to use the symbol of captain, a boat and a journey at sea for this poem because this aptly describes the journey of life, where joys and sorrows go hand in hand. The poem ends with the refrain, ‘fallen cold and dead’ and it emphasises the sombre and melancholic mood despite a great victory.ĩ. He also calls him as a fatherly figure that shows that the Captain might have played a great role in shaping his life as well.Ĩ. The way the speaker addresses the captain in the poem reveals that he was greatly attached to him and had great regard for him and his abilities in leading the war. At least he clears the confusion by deciding to mourn the loss of his captain while asking the other people to keep celebrating.ħ. The speaker is in a state of confusion whether to celebrate the victory or mourn the loss of his beloved captain. The bleeding drops of red mean all the bloodshed that happens during the battle figuratively, and literally it refers to the captain lying dead in a pool of blood on the deck.Ħ. While everyone is celebrating on the shore the speaker is mourning the death of the Captain lying dead on the deck.ĥ. Firstly, it is end of the battle and secondly it is referred to as the life of the captain or the victory completed.Ĥ. The speaker wants the captain to hear the bells ringing and the bugle trills and see the flag being waved, the flowers and the cheering crowds who have come to welcome the captain.ģ. The stanza changes to despair and gloomy after four lines showing the grief due to loss of the captain.Ģ. The people are cheerful and waiting to give a grand welcome to the Captain.

The trip is almost over and the ship is returning to port. The mood shown in the first stanza in the beginning is happy and cheerful. The speaker wants them to be rung as a welcome to the victorious captain.Ĭ. The speaker says this when the ship has returned home after victory.ī. People have come in large numbers to welcome the captain after winning the battle. ‘They’ refers to the general public here.Ĭ. Figuratively, it is the fear associated with the outcome of the civil war and literally it is the fear associated with victory in a battle. Figuratively, the ‘prize’ refers to the victory of the union literally it is the victory in the battle.Ĭ. Literally the ship has reached the harbour after the war and figuratively the victory of the Union has been achieved.ī. O Captain! My Captain! Textbook Exercises Mournful – filled with sorrow, grief and sadness

Will – mental power that controls one’s thoughts, actions and decisions (इच्छा शक्ति)Īnchor – to hold the ship steady by fastening it (लंगर डालना) Sway – moving or swinging from side to side (झूलना) Shores – land along the edge of the sea (here it means people of America) Steady – firm, fixed and unwavering (टिकाऊ एवं स्थिर ओर बना हुआ )Ĭold – without emotion, without human warmthīugle trills – a short bust of notes from a trumpet, often means to signify military victoryīouquet – a bunch of flowers arranged to be gifted as present sought) – to look for, try to get or obtain or achieveĮxulting – celebrating victory, rejoicing the success Rack – a cluster or group of dark clouds (here it means the dangers of war) O captain! – O the great President of America, Mr Abrahm Lincolnįearful trip – terrible and dangerous journey (here it means the American Civil War 1861-1865) The poem creates a melancholy mood as its theme is the death of the 16th president of America Mr Abraham Lincoln. The poem O Captain! My captain! refers the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

The poem O Captain! My captain! is written by Walt Whitman, regarded as one of America’s greatest poets known for their artistry and exceptional skill in the written words.

O captain my captain