O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;00000The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, 0000While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:5 But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;10 Rise up–for you the flag is flung–for you the bugle trills;00000For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths–for you the shores a–crowding;00000For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;00000 Here Captain! dear father This arm beneath your head;15 It is some dream that on the deck,00000 You've fallen cold and dead.00000My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;00000My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;00000The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;20 From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;00000 Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!00000 But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies,00000 Fallen cold and dead.
How does the imagery in the first stanza indicate the poet's intended impact?
A.
The poet uses imagery of a safely returned ship to build up a positive feeling before shifting the tone by using the image of the death of the ship's captain.
B.
The poet uses imagery of people celebrating with wreaths and flowers to build a sense of relief before shifting the tone by using the image of the war-wracked ship.
C.
The poet uses imagery of the captain with pale still lips to set a somber tone before shifting the image to bells and people cheering to celebrate a victory in battle.
D
.
The poet uses imagery of a pristine ship returning from war to show their success in battle before shifting the tone with the image of a dead captain on the deck.
A. The poet uses imagery of a safely returned ship to build up a positive feeling before shifting the tone by using the image of the death of the ship's captain.
A. The poet uses imagery of a safely returned ship to build up a positive feeling before shifting the tone by using the image of the death of the ship's captain.
To analyze the imagery in the first stanza, we must first understand the literal meaning of the words. The poet describes a ship that has weathered every obstacle and ultimately reached its destination. The port is near, and the poet can hear bells ringing and people exulting. The ship is described as "grim and daring," indicating its resilience.
Now, let's examine the impact of this imagery on the reader. The image of a ship successfully navigating treacherous waters and reaching its destination creates a sense of triumph and accomplishment. The poet builds up a positive feeling, emphasizing the successful completion of a challenging journey.
However, the impact abruptly changes with the image of the captain lying dead on the deck. The transition from celebration to sorrow is unexpected and jarring. The poet's intended impact becomes clear: to evoke a powerful emotional response from the reader. The image of the dead captain intensifies the emotions of loss, grief, and mourning.
Therefore, the answer is A. The poet uses imagery of a safely returned ship to build up a positive feeling before shifting the tone by using the image of the death of the ship's captain.