15. Below is an excerpt from the poem, O'Captain! My Captain!, by Walt Whitman. This was written after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and is a selfreflection on the loss of the Union leader. In a paragraph, talk about what was lost, during the Civil War. What do you think the thoughts of the people were after the war? Try to look at it from all sides: North, South, and slaves. Use evidence that occurred in the Civil War to back up your response. Try to put yourself in the shoes of each side and ask yourself, "How would I feel?" This response is about personal reflection on the events and backing it up with evidence.

Question

15. Below is an excerpt from the poem, O'Captain! My Captain!, by Walt Whitman. This was written after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and is a selfreflection on the loss of the Union leader. In a paragraph, talk about what was lost, during the Civil War. What do you think the thoughts of the people were after the war? Try to look at it from all sides: North, South, and slaves. Use evidence that occurred in the Civil War to back up your response. Try to put yourself in the shoes of each side and ask yourself, "How would I feel?" This response is about personal reflection on the events and backing it up with evidence.

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.

Answer 1

During the Civil War, the nation lost a great deal - families were torn apart, cities were destroyed, and the country faced a massive loss of life. The North lost many of its young men in battle, the South lost its way of life and its economy was in ruins, and slaves lost their freedom and endured unimaginable suffering. After the war, the North likely felt a bittersweet victory - the Union had been preserved, but at a great cost. The South may have felt defeated and devastated, their way of life forever changed. Slaves may have felt a mixture of liberation and uncertainty for their future. The thoughts of the people were likely filled with mourning, reflection, and a desire to rebuild and heal. The evidence of the massive casualties, destruction, and lasting impact of the war on all sides highlights the magnitude of the loss experienced by the nation. As someone living in that time period, it would be difficult not to feel a sense of grief, uncertainty, and a glimmer of hope for the future.