Oh Captain, My Captain

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Walt Whitman wrote the poem after Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Repeated metaphorical reference is made to this issue throughout the verse. The "ship" spoken of is intended to r epresent the United States of America, while its "fearful trip" recalls the troubles of the American Civil War. The titular "Captain" is Lincoln himself, It is illustrated by a movie poster from "Birth of a Nation". which shows John Wilkes Booth just having shot President Lincoln and making his escape. Show more