American poets Essay

Argued to be the greatest of all American poets (Gale 71), Walt Whit globe is regarded by both(prenominal) local and foreign critics as one of the most influential literary minds in the history of the United States. His poem O maestro My skipper which he revised thrice in his lifetime (Gale 72) was one of the most published flora during his time. The poem was written shortly aft(prenominal) the end of the American civil war which was won by President Abraham capital of Nebraska against the secessionists known as the Confederate States of America. However, President capital of Nebraska was assassinated shortly after the victory.Whitman wrote the poem as a tribute to the of late president who he revered as the man responsible for keeping America together through the troubled times of civil war. Lines 1-8 The poems first lines introduce the controlling metaphors that build up the rest of the selection. The first line introduces the metaphor of the Captain which is actually Whitman s representation of Abraham Lincoln and the second line introduces the beam which is the metaphor for the United States of America. The terrible trip is the metaphor that Whitman used for the American Civil War.Both lines express the end of a manage (the Civil War), with the second line describing the victory as hard won by saying that the ship weathered every rack(Whitman). The second and third lines indicate joy and relief, with people exulting as the ship finally docks. This line is followed by sudden surprise. Whitman makes use of the repetition of the word encountert to concern that something shocking had happened. What happened is elaborated upon by the succeeding three lines at varying degrees of disclosure.The sixth line is subtle, that hinting some act of violence with the bleeding drops of red(Whitman) that denote the drawing of blood. The seventh line gives a victim for the violent act described in the sixth by mentioning that the Captain had fallen on the floor an d it is only on the eight line that the passe-partouts close is confirmed. Lines 9-16 The 9th and 10th lines both express Whitmans lamentation at the irony of his Captain dying just after they had achieved victory. In desperation, he asks the impossible of the dead Captain much(prenominal) as to Rise up or hear the bells. and entices the corpse with the prospect of fanfare. This continues through the 11th and 12th lines where Whitman blends both the publics celebration of Abraham Lincolns military victory and their lamentation for his assassination, with bouquets being more commonly used on events such as the former and black ribboned wreaths on the latter. There are also various descriptions of a capacious crowd with words like shores a-crowding and the swaying mass which sends the notion that the entire nation are celebrating and mourning the late president.The 13th to 16th lines detail an expression of denial on Whitmans part to accept the death of his Captain. The loudspea ker system dismisses the Captains death as a dream. Whitman describes himself assisting his Captain by fling his arm. In the 13th line, the speaker also refers to the Captain as Father, perhaps to emphasize how Whitman perceives Abraham Lincoln as the man who kept America together. Its Father so to speak. Lines 16-24 In the 16th line, the speaker is brought back to the realism of the Captain, his Fathers demise.The Captains lips are described as pale and still and in the 17th line, the more definite signs of death such as not feeling anything and having no pulse are given. The speaker again makes reference to the ships accomplishment because of the Captain from the 18th to 19th lines. He describes the ship as having been able to dock safely with its purpose won. This is pertaining to the Civil War waged by secessionists who the American government had triumphed against under President Lincolns leadership.The go bad four lines present the speakers point of view regarding the vict ory. While he commands the shores to exult his captains honor, he himself decides to continue mourning his loss. In the last two lines, the speaker finally faces the reality of the Captain has indeed fallen cold and dead.Works CitedWhitman, W. O Captain My Captain. Poetry-Online. 20 July 2007. Gale, Thomas. Exploring Poetry. Gale Group, 1997.