A True Patriot: Walt Whitman

This poem became really popular due to the poem describing an ordinary American citizen, and his patriotism towards the country.. Released in 1865 another one of Whitman’s big works was “O Captain! My Captain”, in which the captain refers to Abraham Lincoln, who Whitman considered a hero, and how an ideal leader should be.The death of Lincoln caused Whitman to lament, and write this poem. Whitman, in this poem, wants the American people to put trust in their leaders.Another one of Whitman’s classics was “I Hear America Singing”. Released in 1966, this poem by Whitman is about American pride.

Walt Whitman was looked upon as the forerunner of 20th Century poetry, praising democracy, and becoming a proclaimed poet of American democracy. He was known as the "Son of Long Island," and he loved his country and everything about it. (Current, Williams, Freidel- page 292-293). Whitman lived during the time of the Civil War; a fact that increased his patriotism. Whitman was considered one of the most important American Poets of the 19th Century.

Emilio Mackie Mr. Webb English 11, Period 1 3-17-2015 O Captain My Captain Walt Whitman wrote the poem O Captain My Captain to honor the death of Abraham Lincoln in 1865. When the poem was published in the New York Saturday Press, the American public loved it. It became a national sensation overnight. Walt Whitman was asked to recite the poem so often, that he once said, “I’m almost sorry I ever wrote [it]” (Library of Congress) But this poem is not to be taken lightly. It speaks of a story about a captain, who returns with his crew after a hard voyage, only to lie in his deathbed in the end.

Whitman wrote the poem as an elegy for President Abraham Lincoln after he was assassinated. He wrote the poem in honor of Lincoln who fought for America to stay united and fought for the abolishment of slavery through the Civil War. Whitman’s admiration for Lincoln shines through the poem as an overall theme. Whitman shows his gratitude and admiration by often referring to Lincoln as “My father” (Song of Myself). The overall themes throughout the poem “O Capitan!

Letter to George and Thomas Keats. 21 Dec. 1817. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume Two The Romantic Period through the Twentieth Century. 5th ed. New York: WW Norton, 1986.

Walt Whitman is one of the greatest poets in American history. He is an explicitly patriotic writer and believes poetry is a way of healing. His poem, “O Captain! My Captain!”, expresses his grief and the mourning of a nation in the loss of a great leader, President Abraham Lincoln. It became an elegy honoring Lincoln’s life and work, Whitman symbolically uses the image of a Captain to show the admiration, devotion, and love that he and the nation felt for Lincoln.

Brooke was a man of traditional beliefs, therefore he firmly believed that his country has more value than his life and it is an honourable act to die for it. This sonnet was written at the beginning of the First World War, when Rupert Brooke was inspired by the noble idea of protecting his country. Nowadays his poem can serve as a motivation for the young people who are yet to become soldiers and fight for their country. The love that the author of the poem felt for his country is inspiring. He was facing death, yet he did not give up but rather think in a way that it is the only noble thing to do.

One review from the movie apprised the line to “[o]ne of the bst arts of the movie is when the students stand on their desks and call him this.” Like this movie, this phrase became to express the honor. In conclusion, “O Captain! My Captain!” contains a man’s reverence for his captain; in fact, it is symbolized to that a man is the author Walt Whitman, and the captain is the president Abraham Lincoln after he died. Much sorrow and admiration was for cherishing the memory and accomplishment of Lincoln. It became the most popular piece of Whitman, and it might because many people at that time were mourning too for the death of their unlikely valuable

Many people relate this poem to Walt’s feelings towards Abraham Lincoln. He was a father figure to the country when the country was going through a hard time by attempting to abolish slavery. They were finally reaching the end of the fight and were so close to having it over and suddenly the healthy Abraham Lincoln drops dead due to being shot. It was unexpected and it shook the nation. This poem is considered an elegy, also known as a mourning poem.

Abraham’s goal was to remind people what being an American stood for and being that he was president, people looked up to him and admired his words that much more. Lincoln’s bravery and vision for America can be seen in his words and actions. Many people find Abraham Lincoln to be one of the greatest presidents of all time because of what he stood for and the things that he went through to get the things he wanted accomplished. People look to Lincoln as a leader and he certainly was one. Being that the state America was in at the time of the war was full of lost hope, people clung on to Lincoln’s words like a life line making ‘The Gettysburg Address’ his most inspirational speech.