In the 1989 movie 'Dead Poets Society', students stand up for the character played by Robin Williams, to honor their teacher and show their support towards him, by standing on their desks and reciting Whitman's poem 'O Captain! My Captain!'. This was regarded as one of the best scenes of the actor's career.

Summary and Meaning

In the first stanza, the poet describes the cheer, ecstasy, and celebration, because they've reached ashore. However, their celebration is halfhearted, as their captain is cold and lifeless. He has lost his life in a bid to sail the ship ashore. He tells the captain that they've passed all hurdles, high tides, and achieved what they were looking for. However, their much-loved captain no longer lives to see their dream come true. Many times he addresses the captain as his 'father', beckoning him to rise up and participate in the celebrations. However, as he watches the cheering crowd, his 'father' figure still rests lifeless in his arms. He calls to the captain to get up and witness their victory. However, it is all in vain, as he knows that he will not respond. Still something in his heart prays for a miracle. This poem has a rhyming pattern, which is very unusual of his other free-verse poems. This poem depicts his deep admiration for the honorable president. This is one of the elegy poems by Whitman. It depicts the successful end of the Civil War, and also the way it came to an end. An advocate of democracy, Whitman had deep faith in Lincoln. His death was mourned by millions, and there were many mourning poems written in his memoir. Just as the Civil War had almost come to an end, his captain, the president, was assassinated. Though the mood is festive among the sailors, the poet has a heavy heart, and is in a dilemma whether to celebrate the achievement of their dream or mourn over the loss of their beloved captain. Lincoln's death evidently impacted Whitman, like millions of other Americans. The martyr could not live to witness success of his dream.

Themes

Respect and Admiration: The poem depicts the poet's deep faith in Abraham Lincoln. Celebration and Success: The poem displays how the ship has survived through all odds, and managed to reach ashore, the way all the civilians of America managed to survive the Civil War. Death and Pain: Everything comes with a price, and so does victory. In the bargain to achieve what they wanted, countless people lost their lives, and a great hero also succumbed to it. Thus, amidst all the joy, there is pain for the departed in the hearts of all.

Metaphors

The entire poem is a metaphor that symbolizes the plight of Americans during the Civil War. An advocate of democracy, Lincoln was a much-loved leader in America. The 'fearful trip' is nothing but the turmoil and bloodbath during the Civil War. However, despite everything, the ship managed to reach ashore, which proves that the war has almost come to an end, and they have achieved their 'prize', i.e., they have won the battle.