The Readers Review: Literature from 1714 to 1910 discussion
Poetry Collection
>
Poets' Corner - Part III
date
newest »
newest »
Strange choice!:)1. Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. Ghandhi. Churchill. Mandela.
2. Several.
3. No. The ship isn't yet anchored, nor is it safe and sound.
1. ... and Martin Luther King.2. "it is some dream that on the deck..." because of the poignancy of not wanting to believe the fact of death.
3. Americans would be able to judge better than me. Was the poem written about Lincoln?
Mod
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o...
Emma wrote: " Was the poem written about Lincoln?"
Yes.
O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Witman
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.
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.
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.
Below are some boney questions to chew.
1. Do you know any true captains of our world whose lives left the indelible traces in our human history?
2. What is the most emotional and moving line in this poem?
3. Do you think A. Lincoln deserved to be called Captain?