O Captain My Captain

Who is the speaker of the poem?

• the captain of a ship

• a man playing a bugle

• a sailor on a ship

• a murderer

What does the speaker of the poem realize has happened?

• the captain of the ship has died

• the crowds on the shore realize the captain is dead

• the captain is having a dream that he is dead

• the ship has crashed into the shore

What is the central idea of the poem?

• A victory has been achieved but the leader was lost in the process.

• The crew on a ship mutinied against their captain, and he has died.

• The captain of a ship died from the cold, causing the crew to lose hope.

• A great crowd is cheering for the crew of a ship as they return from a successful journey.

How does the tone change throughout the poem?

• The tone begins as depressed but turns much more upbeat when the sailor sees the crowds waiting for the ship on the shore.

• The tone begins as celebratory and stays that way even after the sailor realizes the captain has died because, despite his death, a great victory has been won.

• The tone begins as depressed and stays that way throughout the poem, for the captain dies without completing the journey.

• The tone begins as celebratory, then changes to shock and disbelief, and ends on a depressed note.

Which two lines BEST support the idea that the ship is a symbol for the United States?

• 3-4: "The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, / While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring"

• 11-12: "For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreath for you the shores a-crowding, / For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning"

• 17-18: "My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, / My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will"

• 19-20: "The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, / From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won"

The indention, or spacing, of the last four lines in each stanza emphasizes the _____.

• crowd's reaction to the incoming ship 

• speaker's feelings about the captain's death

• father's thoughts about the terrible storm

• fearful trip the ship successfully completed

Why does the speaker use repetition and rhyme at the end of each stanza?

• to provide sensory details about the waiting crowd

• to convey the high emotions of the ship's landing

• to draw attention back to the captain's death

• to describe the great glory of the ship's victories

In line 21 the speaker says, "the ship is anchor'd safe and sound." The idea of safety is ironic, or unexpected because _____.

• crowds are trying to take over the ship.

• the speaker fears that lives are in danger.

• the ship's Captain lies dead on its deck.

• the ship has other dangerous journeys ahead.

Which is an example of imagery that creates a mood on the ship?

• "Our fearful trip is done"

• "The people all exulting"

• "O the bleeding drops of red"

• "The vessel grim and daring"

The use of the phrase "my Captain" in the title and throughout the poem suggests that the speaker _____.

• wants to be in charge of the ship.

• feels very loyal to the Captain.

• has a military background.

• is the only one with the Captain.