'O Captain! My Captain!' - Selection Test

Read line 3 of the poem 'O Captain! My Captain!' by Walt Whitman. 'The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,' What kind of tone does this line help to establish?

• Alarmed

• Celebratory

• Melancholy

• Satisfied

The poet uses exclamation marks throughout the poem most likely to —

• highlight his use of vivid imagery

• emphasize different emotions

• clarify his purpose for writing

• convey a strong sense of irony

Which phrase best explains why the poet most likely capitalizes the word Captain in the poem?

• To show that this is a metaphor for someone who was highly respected

• To explain that this person was an honorary captain in the military

• To indicate that the word should be emphasized when reading the poem

• To use standard capitalization since the word refers to a specific person

What does the poet’s use of language and word choice emphasize in the poem?

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Which two phrases most likely reflect what the extended metaphor of the ship represents in the poem?

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How does the poet emphasize his grief about Lincoln’s death in the poem?

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Which line in the third stanza helps the reader understand the meaning of the word tread in line 22?

• The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, (line 19)

• Exult O shores, and ring O bells! (line 21)

• Walk the deck my Captain lies, (line 23)

• Fallen cold and dead. (line 24)

Which line from the poem presents a problem that the speaker cannot control?

• Here Captain! dear father! (line 13)

• This arm beneath your head! (line 14)

• My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, (line 18)

• From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; (line 20)

The poem explores a theme about —

• the writing style of a famous poet

• the life of a brave sea captain

• the solemn duties of fatherhood

• the death of a loved president

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B. Part A: Which word best describes the overall tone of "O Captain! My Captain!"?

• Distressed

• Enthusiastic

• Hopeful

• Sorrowful