O Captain! My Captain! : Summary with analysis
“O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman is a famous elegy written in honor of President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in 1865. Stanza 1: "O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;" The speaker addresses the "Captain" (symbolizing Lincoln), saying their dangerous journey (the American Civil War) is over, and they have achieved their goal (Union victory). The "ship" represents the United States , and "our fearful trip" refers to the Civil War . "The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;" The ship is approaching home, people are celebrating, and there is admiration for the bravery of the ship (nation). "But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead." The speaker expresses sud...