Walt Whitman chooses to portray Abraham Lincoln as a ship's captain in “O Captain! My Captain!” primarily to emphasize a close relationship between a leader and his men. The metaphor of a captain guiding a ship through turbulent waters reflects Lincoln’s role as a leader navigating the United States through the Civil War. The imagery invokes a sense of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the deep sorrow felt by the nation following Lincoln's assassination. While the other options contain elements that could relate to Lincoln's life or leadership, the primary emphasis in the poem is on the emotional bond between the leader (the captain) and his followers (the crew).
In “O Captain! My Captain!” why does Walt Whitman choose to portray Lincoln as a ship’s captain?
O Captain! My Captain!
Responses
to emphasize a close relationship between a leader and his men
to emphasize a close relationship between a leader and his men
to represent his life as a long journey
to represent his life as a long journey
to highlight his importance in the US Navy
to highlight his importance in the US Navy
to use a common nickname he had during his life
1 answer