Michael Delgado
Period 2 2-19-13
In the poem “Oh Captain My Captain” by Walt Whitman is about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and many people are shocked to see their hero be assassinated, and reveals that Lincoln has earned respect, leadership, and gratitude. Lincoln earned respect by going out to the war and fighting to preserve the Union. Whitman uses metaphors to show the respect Lincoln has earned. “For you the flag is flung”, this metaphor shows that Lincoln was an important person, and for that reason we will raise the flag to show our honor for him. Whitman shows that he is Mournful for the loss of Lincoln. “For the bugle trills” is another metaphor Whitman uses to show his honor, they are blowing the trumpets Many people are thankful for Lincoln because he fought in the war to free the slaves from the southern states, and he also gave them back their human dignity back. In the poem “Oh Captain My Captain” Whitman says “rise up and hear the bells”, the bell are ringing to celebrate a victory and the people are rejoicing. They are celebrating that the war is over and they won, but yet many are also bereave, because of him they are free and aren’t slaves anymore. “For you bouquets and ribbon wreaths”, in this line it means that they put bouquets and ribbons on his grave to show their sorrow for the loss of Lincoln. Lincoln is also a great leader.” My Captain! Our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won” Whitman is saying here that the war is over and they won. They refer Lincoln as their captain and America as the ship, Lincoln led them through the war as a great captain would.
In conclusion O Captain! My Captain’ is a moving poem in which Whitman expresses his profound sense of grief at a tragic end of a leader that fell victim to an assassin’s bullet. Many people are depressed to see the one they are