"Oh Captain! My Captain" - "I Saw Old General At Bay" - Honors

In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the sound that welcomes the ship as it arrives in port is bells ringing. Bells are traditionally used to signal the arrival or departure of a ship, and in this poem, the ringing of the bells symbolizes both the joy and relief of the ship's safe return, as well as the mourning for the loss of the captain. The ringing bells create a sense of celebration and also serve as a reminder of the captain's sacrifice.

The phrase "our fearful trip" most expresses the difficult time the ship has had in "O Captain! My Captain!" This phrase suggests that the journey or voyage of the ship has been filled with fear and hardship, implying that it has faced numerous challenges and obstacles along the way.

The correct answer is "the soldiers are loyal to the general". The number of volunteers in the poem suggests that the soldiers are willing to fight and sacrifice their lives for the general, indicating their loyalty and dedication to him.

The speaker in "O Captain! My Captain!" expresses a strong sense of loyalty to the Captain by using the words "my Captain" in the title and throughout the poem. This suggests that the speaker has a personal connection and deep admiration for the Captain, showing their devotion and commitment to their leader.

The repetition of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" suggests that the speaker places great significance on the tragic death. The repetition emphasizes the finality and harshness of death, highlighting the impact it has on the speaker. It conveys the speaker's deep emotional connection to the deceased and their belief that the death is a significant event that should be acknowledged and remembered.

Whitman describes the Captain's death as a dream because he wishes so much that it were only a dream. This suggests that Whitman is deeply saddened by the Captain's death and is unable to accept the reality of it. Describing it as a dream allows him to temporarily escape from the pain and wish for a different outcome.

In the poem "I Saw Old General at Bay," the selected volunteers respond to getting their instructions by listening very carefully. This means that they pay close attention to the instructions given to them, indicating their attentiveness and willingness to follow orders. They understand the importance of understanding the instructions correctly in order to carry out their tasks effectively.

At the end of "O Captain! My Captain!", the speaker is described as walking the deck sadly. This suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of their captain and is filled with sorrow. The phrase "walking the deck" implies that the speaker is on a ship, further emphasizing the nautical theme of the poem. The word "sadly" indicates the speaker's emotional state, highlighting their grief and the somber atmosphere of the scene.

The references to a finished voyage in "O Captain! My Captain!" most likely symbolize the end of the Civil War. The poem was written by Walt Whitman as an elegy for President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated shortly after the war ended. The captain in the poem represents Lincoln, and the finished voyage represents the conclusion of the war. The poem mourns the loss of the captain and reflects on the impact of his leadership during the war.

In "I Saw Old General at Bay," there is an emergency because enemy troops surround the soldiers. This poses a significant threat to the soldiers' safety and indicates that they are in a critical situation that requires immediate action or intervention. The presence of enemy troops suggests that the soldiers are at risk of being attacked or overpowered, leading to the need for an emergency response.

The speaker asking the Captain to "rise up" from the deck suggests that they are expressing their wish for the dead Captain to come back to life. This implies that the speaker desires for the Captain to be alive again, indicating that their statement is a wish for resurrection rather than a belief in an afterlife, excitement at the ringing of the bells, or an attempt to hide the death from others.

The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" thinks that although the General is old, he still has energy.

The description of the ship's safety is ironic because the ship's Captain lies dead on the deck. This implies that even though the ship has reached its destination safely and the voyage is complete, there is a tragic loss of life. The juxtaposition of the ship's safety with the death of the Captain creates a sense of irony and highlights the bittersweet nature of the situation.

The speaker in "I Saw Old General at Bay" seems to be most impressed by the loyalty exhibited by the army in dire circumstances. This suggests that the speaker values the unwavering commitment and dedication of the soldiers, even in the face of difficult and challenging situations. The loyalty displayed by the army reflects their strong sense of duty and devotion to their cause, which resonates with the speaker.

The adjutant in "I Saw Old General at Bay" looks very grave because the volunteers' mission is very dangerous. This can be inferred from the fact that the adjutant is described as being "grave" which suggests seriousness and concern. The word "grave" implies that the situation is serious and potentially life-threatening, indicating that the mission the volunteers are embarking on is risky and perilous.

Both poems express the idea that war puts good people in serious danger.

In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the speaker calls for the Captain as the ship sails into the port. The mention of "eager crowds on shore" suggests that it is the people waiting on the shore who call for the Captain. They are excited to welcome the ship and its Captain, showing their enthusiasm and support.

The people on shore are watching the ship as it sails home.

In each poem, the leader has earned victory. This suggests that the leader is successful and has achieved their goals. The word "cheering" implies that the leader has accomplished something worthy of celebration and support. "Death" could indicate that the leader has triumphed over their enemies or overcome obstacles. "Loyalty" suggests that the leader has inspired and gained the trust of their followers. Overall, the common theme in all the poems is the leader's achievement of victory.

During the Civil War, the poet of "O Captain! My Captain!" served as a nurse and took care of injured soldiers. This historical background helps explain the line "My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will," as it suggests that the poet's father, who represents President Lincoln, is no longer alive and cannot physically respond to the poet's touch. The poet's experience caring for wounded soldiers adds emotional depth to the poem and enhances the sense of loss and grief expressed in this line.