Question

Part of the poet’s style is using imagery, or words and phrases that appeal to the senses. Give two examples of how imagery is used to describe the dead Captain in the last stanza of “O Captain! My Captain!

Answer 1

Imagery in the last stanza of "O Captain! My Captain!" includes visual and tactile descriptions of the deceased captain, such as 'lips are pale and still' and 'no pulse nor will,' to deepen the sense of loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Walt Whitman's poem "O Captain! My Captain!," two examples of imagery used to describe the deceased captain in the last stanza include:

• The line "My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still," evokes the sense of sight, presenting a visual image of the Captain's lifeless appearance. It draws the reader into the solemn and visual realization of the Captain's passing.
• Another line, "he has no pulse nor will," appeals to the sense of touch. This absence of the physical signs of life (pulse) suggests a tactile experience of confirming death, further intensifying the mournful mood of the scene.

Through these sensory details, the reader is invited to share in the speaker's grief, creating a poignant and memorable image of the fallen leader.

Answer 2

Answer: The captain’s lips are described as pale and still, meaning he cannot give orders or cheer along with his crew. He also has “no pulse or will” showing his heart cannot give him back the blood staining the deck of his ship, and his head can no longer think the thoughts he once thought.

Step-by-step explanation: