Have you ever wondered how the lens of New Historicism can transform your understanding of “O Captain! My Captain!”?

If so, you are in the right place.

I am going to analyze Walt Whitman’s poem in easy language, using the principle of New Historicism. Besides the analysis, I will also discuss its summary, theme, poetic devices, and structure. Moreover, there is a video explanation to make things even clearer for you.

So, get ready for a complete and fresh look at this classic!

Summary

The poem “O Captain! My Captain¹!” by Walt Whitman is an elegy for the beloved President, Abraham Lincoln. The poem uses the metaphor of a ship to represent the United States and the captain to represent Lincoln.

Having completing the challenging voyage, the captain is excited. The ship is about to reach the port. But, upon seeing the captain’s dead body, his delight wanes.

People gather to celebrate on the shore. They are unaware of the captain’s state. The speaker appeals to the captain to join them, but he is unresponsive.

Despite the absence of the captain, the speaker asks the crowds to ring bells to celebrate. He does not join them because the leader who has led them to success is no more.

Analysis

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 port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.”

The speaker addresses the captain of a ship in the line “O Captain! My Captain!” of the poem. This direct address to the captain is an apostrophe, a literary device. 

The phrase “fearful trip” in the first line refers to the dangers the ship has encountered during the journey. It has “weather’d every rack,” reinforces that it has undergone perils like storm and other obstacles. Despite these problems, the ship has overcome each of them under the guidance of its captain. 

We can discuss the poem through the lens of New Historicism.

New Historicism emphasizes that we need to understand a literary work within the historical and cultural context of its time.

Literary texts are products of historical moments, and we should interpret them within the socio-political contexts from which they arise. Understanding the socio-political climate during and after the Civil War offers insights into the poem.

Whitman penned “O Captain! My Captain!” as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln after his assassination in 1865. Lincoln had led the United States through its Civil War, preserving the Union but at a significant cost.

Therefore, the ship metaphorically stands for United States, and the captain is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. The “fearful trip” implies the turbulent times during the American Civil War (1861-1865). 

The use of the ship as United States and the captain as Abraham Lincoln is an extended metaphor which stretches throughout the poem. 

Like the impediments at sea, the United States faced many challenges and adversities during the Civil War.

Walt Whitman’s “Memoranda During the War²” (1875) stands as a testament to these challenges, offering a raw, firsthand account of the impact of the war.

Like the speaker, who is part of the journey, Whitman himself was associated with the war, witnessing the horrors of the war.

He provides unfiltered glimpses into the sufferings and deaths of soldiers, the struggles of the medical staff, and the overall impact of war on society and the individual.

The ship has won a “prize” which implies the voyage succeeded. The prize symbolizes the victory of the North in the Civil War and the preservation of the Union.

It also means the end of slavery, as the war led to the abolition of this practice.

The ship is approaching the port. The speaker can hear the bells ringing on the shore. Excited crowds eagerly await and celebrate the ship’s return. It mirrors the country’s relief and celebration following the war’s end.

The clause “While follow eyes the steady keel” suggests that people are paying attention to the momentum of the ship (keel). As their eyes are fixed on the vessel, the citizens were observant and hopeful about the nation during the time.

This description of the ship as “grim and daring” portrays the ship not as an inanimate object but as a symbol of determination and courage. The ship embodies the nation’s resilience and determination to move forward in its darkest hour.

The anthropomorphic portrayal of the ship gives life to the metaphor. It helps to project the ship, metaphorically the nation, as a symbol of determination and courage.

The repetition of the phrase “O heart! heart! heart!” marks a sudden shift in the tone of the poem. The repetition emphasizes the depth of the speaker’s sorrow and the profound impact of the captain’s loss on the speaker. As the speaker sees blood drops on deck of the ship, his tone changes.

The phrase “bleeding drops of red” depicts vividly of the captain’s blood staining the deck of the ship. The poignant image “Fallen cold and dead,” is a reminder of the cost of victory. It highlights the tragic demise of Lincoln, whom John Wilkes Booth shot at the height of the nation’s triumph after the Civil War.

Many Americans regarded Lincoln as a leader who fought for the cause of abolition and national unity. Therefore, the assassination of Lincoln was a shock to them.

Historical records mention the widespread grief and mourning that followed the assassination. The speaker expresses the collective sentiment through his grief.

Keeping the historical context of the poem in mind, the sorrow for the captain encapsulates the collective sentiment of the people toward Lincoln when he died. Lincoln, in whom many had placed their hopes, is a symbol of hope and leadership. His sudden death is a significant loss for the people.

Stanza 2

“O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.”

The following four lines of the poem in the second stanza describe the speaker’s emotional reaction to the captain’s death.

This is an example of apostrophe. “O Captain! My Captain!” is also it is an example of anaphora. The phrase is repeated at the start of the first and second stanzas. 

The speaker again addresses his leader in the first line of the second stanza. He also calls him as “dear father!” in the fifth line of the stanza. The speaker’s use of intimate language like “my Captain” and “dear father” shows his personal connection and the reverence they had for Lincoln.

Whitman considered Lincoln not only as a crucial leader during the war, but also a symbol of the American democratic ideal. In “O Captain! My Captain!”, the speaker’s continuous addresses convey his affection for his master, suggesting he is not only a leader but also a father figure to him. 

This admiration for Lincoln is further evident in Whitman’s elegy, “This Dust Was Once The Man³” (1871) where he celebrates Lincoln’s monumental achievements.

In this poem, the speaker praises the leader for his crucial role in upholding “the Union of these States” amidst the Civil War of what he describes as the “foulest crime”.

The repetition of the phrase “rise up” is an example of anaphora. It emphasizes a heartbreaking plea to the captain to wake up and hear the bells. However, he is unconsciously also aware that his leader is no more.

Therefore, his prayer highlights the difficulty of accepting such a profound loss.

Despite knowing the grim reality, we can argue his appeal is also a way of expressing his agony.

Everyone gathers and awaits for the captain on the shore. The “swaying mass” means an excited gathering and a symbol of unity. It implies that the united people after the victory of the war. The imagery of the “eager faces” turn toward him emphasizes their longing for leadership and hope. 

They are raising flag and ringing the bells to commemorate his achievements. The imagery of bells ringing, flag raising and playing the bugle creates an evocative scene of a celebratory atmosphere. These images suggest the country’s hard-won victory.

The people have gathered with “bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths” to honor his achievement. Though they suggest celebration, they also carry a somber undertone, as they are usually associated with mourning and funerals.

Moreover, the repeated use of “for you” across these lines of the second stanza is another example of anaphora. It stresses that all the celebrations and honors are for their leader. It highlights the acknowledgment of Lincoln’s contribution to the nation and their gratitude toward him. 

As the result of his contribution, the speaker expresses his desire to offer comfort to his captain even in the face of loss. He places his arm beneath the captain’s head.

We can mark the arm as a symbol of support. The tender image of the “arm beneath your head” conveys a deep sense of loyalty, further emphasizing the fondness between them.

Due to the bond, the speaker is in denial about the captain’s death and feels “It is some dream that on the deck”.

The phrase “some dream” implies that the speaker hopes that the harsh reality is merely a bad dream. He finds it difficult to believe that the captain, a figure of strength, leadership, and guidance, has passed away.

The repetition of “Fallen cold and dead” at the end of each stanza serves as a haunting reminder of the captain’s demise.

It can suggest the personal sense of loss. His emotional intensity might represent Whitman’s emotions after the assassination. The speaker’s shock and disbelief can also echo the collective feelings of the people.

Stanza 3

“My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.”

The following lines continue the description of the deceased captain and inform the aftermath of the voyage.

The repetition of the addresses “My Captain” and “My father” in the first and second line of the third stanza highlights again the endearing relationship between them.

Whitman’s background as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War adds depth and emotional resonance to the poem.

His captain is no longer feels his arm. The clauses “his lips are pale and still” and “he has no pulse nor will” confirm the absence of a sign of life in the captain. The realization of his demise is a heartbreaking moment for the speaker, but it is also a moment of acceptance.

The focus shifts to the ship and its safe arrival at the port in the following four lines.

The ship has reached its destination safely. The phrase “safe and sound” provides relief and conveys accomplishment.

The speaker says, “From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won”. It portrays the ship as a triumphant victor, having successfully overcome the challenges of the dangerous voyage.

It suggests the country has emerged victorious from the bloody war. The nation has achieved its goal of abolishing the slavery. However, it has won the battle but at the cost of the death of its leader.

The “anchor” can symbolize of safety and security. Similar to an anchor, which grounds a ship and prevents it from drifting away, it can denote the return to a more stable state in the country.

Acknowledging the triumph, the speaker asks the people on the shore to ring the bells, urging them to celebrate the victory.

However, in “Hush’d Be The Camps To-Day⁴” (1865) the tone shifts.

While the speaker in “O Captain! My Captain!” asks for celebration, he asks for acknowledgement in “Hush’d Be The Camps To-Day”. The speaker asks the soldiers for a song to be sung in remembrance of their dead leader for their genuine love and regard for him.

The emotion in the poem is a collective sentiment, but the speaker in our initial poem seems to bear his grief more personally. Yet, even amidst the personal sorrow, he calls for public rejoicing, which suggests a mixture of emotions prevalent in the time.

While the people celebrate, the speaker stays away from the crowd as he mourns the loss of the captain. He walks with a heavy step, implying his profound sorrow. The captain lies cold and dead.

This juxtaposition of external celebration and the internal grief captures the nation’s mood, a mix of relief at the war’s end and grief over Lincoln’s death.

The contrast between the opposite feelings highlights that there is something to lose even in victory.

In essence, Whitman’s personal experiences, combined with the broader socio-political environment, shaped the creation of “O Captain! My Captain!”.

While considering all the above mentioned factors, we can conclude the poem is not a standalone piece of poetic art, but as a deeply interconnected product of its time, reflecting the socio-political landscapes of post-Civil War America.

Analysis Video

The Theme of Loss

The predominant theme of “O Captain! My Captain!” is loss.

The Loss of the Beloved Captain

The poem employs a metaphorical framework of a ship and its captain. It laments the death of Lincoln. 

We observe the speaker grieving over the death of his beloved captain throughout the poem. Despite the ship’s successful journey, the captain’s sudden death casts a shadow over the cheerful atmosphere.

The captain, who likely led them through the unpleasant voyage, is dead. The speaker repeatedly calls out for the captain, hoping he will wake up to see the celebration taking place for him. He wishes it was all just a nightmare.

Everyone shows their respect and gratitude to the captain with flags, music, and flowers. However, despite all these tributes, the captain remains unresponsive.

The captain’s silent and lifeless state makes the sense of loss even more noticeable. Even though the people are joyful and ringing the bells, the speaker is sorrowful.

The stanza captures the feeling of a lonely heart amidst a crowd, emphasizing how the loss of the captain overshadows the broader celebration.

While the poem maintains a consistent structure in terms of rhyme and meter, the tone shifts dramatically. The beginning of the first two stanza starts on a more hopeful note. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes serious, focusing on the captain’s death.

The Refrain

The theme of loss becomes evident with the refrain “Fallen cold and dead” in the last line of each stanza. The refrain appears three times, emphasizing the personal loss the speaker feels.

It serves as a reminder that the captain’s death is definitive and cannot be reversed.

The poem captures the contradictory emotions experienced at the time: celebration and mourning. In the first stanza, the joyful atmosphere and the discovery of the captain’s death point to the dual sentiments in the poem.

In the second stanza, this jubilation contrasts with the personal grief of the speaker, who finds his captain dead. This stanza encapsulates how the personal and collective grief overshadowed the feeling of triumph at the loss of the beloved Lincoln.

Despite the contrasting emotions in each stanza, the refrain “Fallen cold and dead” stands as a constant, somber reminder. Regardless of the festive atmosphere, this line brings the reader back to the harsh reality, emphasizing a sense of loss. The beloved captain has passed away and will not return.

Choice of Words

Words such as “mournful”, “fearful”, and phrases like “pale and still”, “bleeding drops of red”, “no pulse nor will”, etc. contribute to the poem’s overall gloomy tone. 

Striking imagery of the captain’s “pale and still” lips, “bleeding drops of red,” and his “cold and dead” appearance reinforce his death. These phrases bring a strong sense of loss and grief.

Moreover, the poem contains repeated exclamations, such as “O Captain! my Captain!” and “O heart! heart! heart!”, emphasizing the poet’s emotional turmoil and depth of his grief.

To conclude, the speaker’s grief over the loss of the captain, the refrain, and the choice of words and vivid imagery affirm the theme of loss. The poem underscores the impact of loss amidst victory through these elements.

O Captain! My Captain!  as an Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that laments the death of a person or, broadly, expresses themes of mortality, loss, and transience of life. It’s a reflection on the passing or decline of something.  

“O Captain! My Captain!” is an elegy for several reasons. These are:

Mournful Tone 

All elegies usually bear a tone of lamentation for the death of a particular person. The speaker mourns the loss of a revered captain at the moment of his remarkable success. 

The speaker grieves for the captain throughout the poem. The recurring phrase “Fallen cold and dead” stresses the lament for the departed leader. 

There are vivid images that evoke the death. For instance, his lips are “pale and still,” he does not respond to the speaker and lies on the deck. The poet’s sorrow and sense of loss are easily visible in the poem.

Praise for the Deceased 

Elegies often recount the achievements of the subject of the poem. 

The speaker often praises the subject of the elegy, either for their virtues, accomplishments, or the impact on the speaker.

The leader is not only just a captain but also a “dear father” for the speaker. It exhibits the respect, admiration, and love he has for his leader.

The speaker admires the captain for leading the ship through a difficult time. It refers to Lincoln guiding the United States through the Civil War. It faced challenges but achieved the eventual victory under the Lincoln’s leadership.

Poetic Devices

Some poetic devices used in the poem are metaphor, anaphora, refrain, etc. We have already discussed them above.

The poem also uses poetic devices like alliteration. 

For example, the line “the flag is flung” contains alliteration of the “f” sound. This alliteration helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow. It also helps to emphasize the important words in the line.

Some Questions and Answers

Summary Video

1. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45474/o-captain-my-captain ↩︎
2. https://whitmanarchive.org/published/other/memoranda.html ↩︎
3. https://whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1891/poems/196 ↩︎
4. https://whitmanarchive.org/published/LG/1891/poems/195 ↩︎