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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 5 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. By which other term, besides "Captain," does the speaker address the captain of the ship?

2. In context, the literal meaning of the word "rack" in line two is which of the following?

3. What is a "keel" (line 4)?

4. Line 4, "While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring," contains examples of which techniques?

5. The poem's title and first line contain an example of which technique?

Short Essay Questions

1. What evidence is there that the speaker is struggling to understand and process the captain's death?

2. Describe the form of "O Captain! My Captain!"

3. What ironic contrast do the poem's images highlight?

4. What elements of the poem's diction establish a warm and personal relationship between the speaker and the captain?

5. Explain the allegorical nature of the poem's central conceit.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Go online and read Whitman's poem "Each Has His Grief." Then, write an essay in which you compare and contrast messages about death and the isolating nature of grief in this poem and in "O Captain! My Captain!" Use quoted and paraphrased evidence from both poems in support of your claims.

Essay Topic 2

How does Whitman's use of musical devices support the poem's theme? Write an essay that identifies where Whitman uses assonance, consonance, and alliteration and explains the effect these devices create. Then, tie Whitman's use of these devices to the poem's larger thematic concerns.

Essay Topic 3

How do the metrical and rhyme schemes of "O Captain! My Captain!" support the poem's larger thematic concerns? Write an essay that describes the rhyme and meter used in the poem. Then, tie these choices to Whitman's larger thematic concerns in this poem.

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