O Captain! My 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

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

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.

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which serves as the strongest evidence that the speaker feels affection for the poem's subject? 

• The speaker addresses the subject directly
• The speaker describes the "bleeding drops of red"
• The speaker refers to the captain as "dear father"
• The speaker uses imagery to appeal to sight and sound

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.4

In line 10, which word could best be used in place of "flung"?

• cast
• tossed
• discarded
• launched

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CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

How does the speaker's POV affect his impression of the poem's subject? 

• The speaker admires what Lincoln has done & mourns his death
• The speaker believes Lincoln was an ineffective president
• The speaker is convinced Lincoln would've made a capable sea captain
• The speaker believes captains are strong leaders & make effective presidents 

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

What does the speaker achieve in the poem with the description of the ship? 

• He expresses gratitude for this ship that has survived many storms
• He conveys admiration for great naval battles of the past
• He uses the ship's journey as a metaphor for the country overcoming adversity
• He desceribes how ships were greeted after long, tiresome voyages

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.10

You can infer that Whitman

• feels great love and respect for the Captain
• is angry at the Captain
• wishes he had been appointed as captain
• knew the Captain very well

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.11-12.11

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.

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CCSS.L.8.5A

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

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

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

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

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CCSS.RL.9-10.10

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.8

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.4