O Captain! My Captain!

Question

by Walt Whitman



O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack,1 the prize we sought2 is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel,3 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 flung4—for you the bugle trills,

For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,

For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;

Here Captain! dear father!

This arm beneath your head!

(15)It is some dream that on the deck,

You’ve fallen cold and dead.



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,

(20)From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

But I with mournful tread,5

Walk the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.



_______________

1rack: a mass of wind-driven clouds.

2sought: searched for; tried to gain.

3keel: the main part of a ship's structure.

4flung: suddenly put out.

5tread: footsteps.



Question at position 1
1

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 1

Read line 3 of the poem.



'The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,'



What kind of tone does this line help to establish?

Read line 3 of the poem.



'The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,'



What kind of tone does this line help to establish?

Alarmed

Celebratory

Melancholy

Satisfied
Question at position 2
2

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 2

The poet uses exclamation marks throughout the poem most likely to —

The poet uses exclamation marks throughout the poem most likely to —

highlight his use of vivid imagery

emphasize different emotions

clarify his purpose for writing

convey a strong sense of irony
Question at position 3
3

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 3

Which phrase best explains why the poet most likely capitalizes the word Captain in the poem?

Which phrase best explains why the poet most likely capitalizes the word Captain in the poem?

To show that this is a metaphor for someone who was highly respected

To explain that this person was an honorary captain in the military

To indicate that the word should be emphasized when reading the poem

To use standard capitalization since the word refers to a specific person
Question at position 4
4

Multiple Answer
1 point



Question at position 4

Choose two correct answers.



Select two characteristics that make it clear that this poem is an elegy.

Choose two correct answers.



Select two characteristics that make it clear that this poem is an elegy.

There are lines in the poem that describe the poet’s sadness when Lincoln was assassinated.

The poem allows readers to draw their own conclusions about what really happened to Lincoln.

The poem includes three stanzas that emphasize strong words and language.

The poet makes the setting a boat by using words such as ship and vessel.

The repetition and exclamation of heart! expresses the emotions people felt throughout the nation.
Question at position 5
5

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 5

What does the poet’s use of language and word choice emphasize in the poem?

What does the poet’s use of language and word choice emphasize in the poem?

The confusion people felt about Lincoln as president as as captain

The rhythm created with four long lines followed by four short lines

The sadness of losing Lincoln and admiration for him as a president

The rhyme scheme that develops a joyful mood of the first stanza
Question at position 6
6

Multiple Answer
1 point



Question at position 6

Choose two correct answers.



Select the two phrases that most likely reflect what the extended metaphor of the ship represents in the poem.

Choose two correct answers.



Select the two phrases that most likely reflect what the extended metaphor of the ship represents in the poem.

Peace after war

Victory in battle

Lincoln’s life

The White House

The United States
Question at position 7
7

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 7

How does the poet emphasize his grief about Lincoln’s death in the poem?

How does the poet emphasize his grief about Lincoln’s death in the poem?

By contrasting the celebration and death of Lincoln

By repeating words and phrases describing his father’s life

By structuring the poem with lines of random lengths

By illustrating the sadness on the ship for Lincoln’s last voyage
Question at position 8
8

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 8

Which line in the third stanza helps the reader understand the meaning of the word tread in line 22?

Which line in the third stanza helps the reader understand the meaning of the word tread in line 22?

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, (line 19)

Exult O shores, and ring O bells! (line 21)

Walk the deck my Captain lies, (line 23)

Fallen cold and dead. (line 24)
Question at position 9
9

Matching
1 point



Question at position 9
Match each definition to the correct term.

Prompt 1Imaginative descriptions that are not literally true.
Answer for prompt 1 Imaginative descriptions that are not literally true.
Prompt 2A comparison of two unlike things WITHOUT the words like or as.
Answer for prompt 2 A comparison of two unlike things WITHOUT the words like or as.
Prompt 3A comparison of two unlike things WITH the words like or as.
Answer for prompt 3 A comparison of two unlike things WITH the words like or as.
Prompt 4A poem that reflects on someone's death.
Answer for prompt 4 A poem that reflects on someone's death.
Question at position 10
10

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 10

The poem explores a theme about —

The poem explores a theme about —

the writing style of a famous poet

the life of a brave sea captain

the solemn duties of fatherhood

the death of a loved president
Question at position 11
11

Multiple Choice
1 point



Question at position 11

Part A



Which word best describes the overall tone of “O Captain! My Captain!”?

Part A



Which word best describes the overall tone of “O Captain! My Captain!”?

Distressed

Enthusiastic

Hopeful

Sorrowful
Question at position 12
12

Multiple Answer
1 point



Question at position 12

Part B



Choose three correct answers.



Select the three phrases from lines 17–24 that best support the answer to Part A.

Part B



Choose three correct answers.



Select the three phrases from lines 17–24 that best support the answer to Part A.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,

My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,

From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

Exult O shores, and ring O bells!

But I with mournful tread,

Answer 1

Here are the answers to your questions based on Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!":

Question 1

What kind of tone does this line help to establish?

• Answer: Celebratory

Question 2

The poet uses exclamation marks throughout the poem most likely to —

• Answer: emphasize different emotions

Question 3

Which phrase best explains why the poet most likely capitalizes the word Captain in the poem?

• Answer: To show that this is a metaphor for someone who was highly respected

Question 4

Select two characteristics that make it clear that this poem is an elegy.

• Answer:
  • There are lines in the poem that describe the poet’s sadness when Lincoln was assassinated.
  • The repetition and exclamation of heart! expresses the emotions people felt throughout the nation.

Question 5

What does the poet’s use of language and word choice emphasize in the poem?

• Answer: The sadness of losing Lincoln and admiration for him as a president

Question 6

Select the two phrases that most likely reflect what the extended metaphor of the ship represents in the poem.

• Answer:
  • Lincoln’s life
  • The United States

Question 7

How does the poet emphasize his grief about Lincoln’s death in the poem?

• Answer: By contrasting the celebration and death of Lincoln

Question 8

Which line in the third stanza helps the reader understand the meaning of the word tread in line 22?

• Answer: Walk the deck my Captain lies, (line 23)

Question 9

Match each definition to the correct term.

• Prompt 1: Imaginative descriptions that are not literally true. Answer: Figurative language
• Prompt 2: A comparison of two unlike things WITHOUT the words like or as. Answer: Metaphor
• Prompt 3: A comparison of two unlike things WITH the words like or as. Answer: Simile
• Prompt 4: A poem that reflects on someone's death. Answer: Elegy

Question 10

The poem explores a theme about —

• Answer: the death of a loved president

Question 11

Part A - Which word best describes the overall tone of “O Captain! My Captain!”?

• Answer: Sorrowful

Question 12

Part B - Select the three phrases from lines 17–24 that best support the answer to Part A.

• Answer:
  • My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
  • My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
  • But I with mournful tread,

You can use these answers as a guide to understanding the poem and its themes. If you have further questions or need clarification on specific points, feel free to ask!