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.
During the Civil War, a great deal was lost on all sides. The South lost their way of life, their economy, and many of their loved ones in battle. The North lost countless lives, suffered incredible devastation and destruction, and had to witness the deep divide in their nation. The slaves lost their freedom, their families were torn apart, and they suffered unimaginable hardships. The aftermath of the war left people feeling a mix of emotions - relief, grief, anger, and uncertainty. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, as depicted in Whitman's poem, left people feeling lost and uncertain about the future of their nation. The North was mourning the loss of their beloved leader, the South was facing defeat and hardship, and the slaves were still fighting for their rights and freedom. The end of the war was a time of reflection, sorrow, and a hope for reconciliation and healing. The scars of the Civil War would be felt for generations to come, and the nation would have to work hard to rebuild and come together once again.
