How does Whitman portray Lincoln in “O Captain! My Captain!”?

O Captain! My Captain!

Responses

the general of an army
the general of an army

the President of the United States
the President of the United States

a close friend
a close friend

the leader of a ship
the leader of a ship

1 answer

In "O Captain! My Captain!", Walt Whitman portrays Abraham Lincoln primarily as the President of the United States. The poem is an elegy mourning Lincoln's assassination and symbolizes his leadership during the Civil War. Lincoln is referred to as the "Captain," representing his role as the leader of the nation navigating through the tumultuous times of conflict. The imagery of a ship suggests a journey, and the poem reflects both the struggles faced and the triumphs achieved under Lincoln's guidance, culminating in the sorrow of his death.