The poem “O Captain! My Captain” written by Walt Whitman has a unique historical value. Many years after it was written, it carries excellent historical connotations and takes the reader back to the days of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Using all the power of literary language, the author masterfully portrays the American Civil War and the assassination of one of the greatest presidents.
With the words “O Captain! my Captain! our fearful journey is done”, Walt Whitman underscores the arduous journey to make the dream of millions of Americans come true. Despite all the hardships and the thousands of lives lost, their journey has ended, and the analogy with the sea voyage is perfectly chosen here (Whitman). The captain, played by Abraham Lincoln, is the embodiment of a leader, someone who is willing to go down with the ship and take responsibility for what has happened. He is a man of tremendous willpower and a strong spirit, which has prevented his people from breaking.
The phrase “Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead” will be repeated at the end of each stanza. It emphasizes the tragic nature of the whole situation at the end of Lincoln’s reign (Whitman). His murder was bloody and completely unnecessary, but the captain is dead, and there is no turning back. He will always be remembered as someone who was able to rebuild the American nation through his efforts and lead it to unity. The author emphasizes this, each time recalling the death of someone who made the country a better place and someone whose death brought much grief and sorrow to all his followers. However, his journey ended, despite all that he had endured, the captain retired and found peace, and the nation will remember him forever.
Work Cited
Whitman, Walt. O Captain! My Captain! Essex Institute, 1909.