For this assignment, you’ll be completing a rhetorical analysis on the poem, O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman. Analyze for the following:
What is the author’s purpose? What is he trying to argue in this poem?
What literary devices does the author use? (tone, imagery, etc)
How do these literary devices relate back to the author’s key message?
In the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, the author's purpose is to pay tribute to President Abraham Lincoln and his contribution to the nation during the American Civil War. Whitman argues that despite the victory and the end of the war, the nation is mourning the loss of their leader.
Whitman employs various literary devices to convey his message. One such device is imagery, where he uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the mourning atmosphere. For example, he describes the ship (symbolizing the nation) "anchored safe and sound" after a "fearful trip." This imagery showcases the relief and celebration of the victory but contrasts it with the sadness of losing the captain.
Another literary device used by Whitman is repetition. The phrase "O Captain! My Captain!" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the deep personal connection the speaker has with the captain. The repetition also adds to the overall mournful tone of the poem, as if the speaker is desperately calling out to the departed captain.
The tone of the poem is melancholic and mournful. Whitman's use of imagery, such as "Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!" alongside phrases like "my father" and "fallen cold and dead," evokes a sense of sadness, grief, and deep admiration for the fallen captain. This mournful tone helps to emphasize Whitman's key message of the nation's mourning and loss despite the victory.
Additionally, the author utilizes the device of hyperbole in lines such as "the ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done," suggesting that the nation's journey is complete, but the captain, representing Lincoln, will never return. This hyperbolic statement highlights the permanent absence of Lincoln and intensifies the emotional impact of the poem.
Overall, through the clever use of imagery, repetition, tone, and hyperbole, Whitman effectively conveys the deep sorrow and mourning the nation feels for the loss of their leader, President Abraham Lincoln, while emphasizing the contrasting emotions of victory and grief.
do it again but this time with different literary devices
Certainly! Here is another analysis of the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman, focusing on different literary devices used and their relation to the author's key message.
In this poem, the author's purpose is to memorialize and honor President Abraham Lincoln's role in the American Civil War. Whitman argues that despite the triumph of the Union and the end of the war, the nation is engulfed in sorrow and mourning for their fallen leader.
One of the literary devices employed by Whitman is metaphor. He compares the nation to a ship, symbolizing its journey through the war. By addressing Lincoln as "O Captain! My Captain!," Whitman elevates Lincoln's status to that of a captain steering the ship of the nation. This metaphor emphasizes the captain's crucial role in guiding and leading the country through stormy times.
Furthermore, the author uses anaphora, repeating the phrase "Rise up" throughout the poem. This repetition serves to rally and motivate the people to honor Lincoln's memory and continue his work. It reinforces the author's argument that although Lincoln is gone, his legacy and ideals should be carried forward by the nation.
The author also employs a contrasting tone in the poem. While the repeated phrase "O Captain! My Captain!" conveys a sense of deep personal loss and grief, there are moments of exultation and celebration. For instance, Whitman paints a picture of a ship returning from a treacherous journey, with "flag...flung" and "bugle...bells" sounding triumphantly. This contrasting tone represents the bittersweet emotions of the victory and mourning simultaneously experienced by the nation.
Another literary device utilized by the author is allusion. Whitman alludes to the assassination of Lincoln with the line "he has fallen cold and dead." This allusion amplifies the shock and sorrow of the nation, highlighting the tragic loss of a beloved leader. It also adds a historical context to the poem, making it resonate even more powerfully with the readers.
Through the use of metaphor, anaphora, contrasting tone, and allusion, Whitman effectively conveys the nation's profound grief and sorrow upon the loss of President Abraham Lincoln. These literary devices enhance the emotional impact of the poem and reinforce the author's key message of honoring Lincoln's memory while acknowledging the conflicting emotions of victory and mourning.