O Captain

"O Captain! My Captain!" was written just after the end of the Civil War.  The speaker's description of a captain who dies most likely refers to

• Walt Whitman
• Abraham Lincoln
• Jefferson Davis
• Robert E. Lee

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.

Which phrase suggests that the ship has survived a difficult situation?

• "the prize we sought"
• "O Captain!"
• "the bells I hear"
• "our fearful trip"

The refrain of the phrase "fallen cold and dead" emphasizes

• the importance of the death to the speaker.

• the speaker's lack of feeling about the death.

• the insensitivity of the victory celebration.

• the deaths of soldiers during the war.

What does the phrase "the prize we sought is won" refer to?

• President Lincoln's death
• winning the Civil War
• discovery of a treasure
• the ship's arrival in port

One extended metaphor in the poem is the comparison of 

• a journey to a ship's deck.
• a ship to the country.
• a captain to a ship.
• a captain to a victory.

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.

What does the ship in the poem symbolize? 

• Nothing, it's just a ship
• The world
• The United States
• Life

Why are the people "all exulting?"

• The Captain was a tyrant who they all wanted dead.

• The people are celebrating the long life of the Captain.

• The people are joyous that the war is over; the confederate army has surrendered.

The tone in the third stanza of "O Captain! My Captain" is best described as

• sarcastic

• mournful

• resentful

• defiant