This stanza sums up the entire idea of the poem, which is the lugubrious mood as well as the celebratory excitement of the poet. These lines show the moment of mourning as well as celebration.

Now the speaker asks the shores and the bells to celebrate the victory and also mourns the death of the captain, who is lying dead on the deck. As the ship is quite safe in the harbor and there is no need for a second voyage, their objective is achieved. The father of the speaker does not feel him, nor does he sees his pulse or will. He sees that the captain is showing no emotions. Now the poet has realized up to this stanza that despite his repetitions and exultations, the captain has never answered him. This stanza contributes to the main idea of the poem, which is the celebration after the victory in the Civil War and the appreciation of Abraham Lincoln for his role in it.

The valiant death of the captain shows the poet appreciating the role of the captain as well as mourning his death. He informs his father that he sees the captain cold and dead lying on the deck of the ship as if in some dream. However, the poet sees that the captain himself is dead. He is to respond to the public appreciation, pacify the public and respond to their sloganeering. The captain is now required to beat the drums, blow the pipe, receive the bouquets, and lay the wreaths on the graves of the dead ones. The poet calls the captain to hear the bells and get up to see that they have achieved their aim and that they are on the verge of hoisting their flag. This stanza shows the public appreciation for the role of the captain during the war that is Abraham Lincoln. The repetition of captain and heart shows the poet’s love for the captain. Actually, the poet wants to mourn the death of Lincoln, who, after achieving great victory in the Civil War, breathed his last in an assassination attempt. Then he musters up his full courage to disclose that the captain is lying dead now when they have achieved the aim of winning the prize. As the ship is moving at a slow pace, yet its style is daring and courageous. The people are waiting for them on the coast. Now their destination is close as the bells are telling him. The ship has faced every storm, and they have won the prize. Walt Whitman calls the captain of the ship to tell him that the fearful trip of their voyage has come to an end. Meanings of O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,įrom fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won įallen cold and dead. My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, Rise up-for you the flag is flung-for you the bugle trills,įor you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths-for you the shores a-crowding,įor you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won, O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

Oh captain my captain prez crossword