Question

Why is the use of pathos more appropriate in Whitman’s poem than in President Lincoln’s speech?

All the poems Whitman wrote use pathos.
Whitman’s poem is the emotional reaction to the death of Lincoln.
For a poem to be good, it must use pathos.
All poetry written about the Civil War uses pathos.

Answer 1

The statement that is most accurate in explaining why the use of pathos is more appropriate in Whitman’s poem than in Lincoln’s speech is: **Whitman’s poem is the emotional reaction to the death of Lincoln.**

Whitman's poem, particularly "O Captain! My Captain!", is deeply personal and emotional, reflecting his grief and mourning following Lincoln's assassination. It employs pathos to evoke strong feelings of loss and sorrow in response to this tragic event. In contrast, Lincoln’s speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address, while also poignant, are more focused on unity, purpose, and the political implications of the Civil War rather than expressing personal or raw emotional lament. Thus, Whitman's emphasis on pathos resonates more as an intimate response to a personal loss.