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Analyze the poem O Captain My Captain and discuss the poem’s

theme, extended metaphor, speaker, or diction.


Write a 2-4 page paper using at least 3 examples from Hochman’s
article to support your claim.
Flowers Example: Literary Criticism Outline- Walt Whitman’s “O
Captain My Captain”

Thesis:

three distinct voices appear throughout the poem. Whitman


writes as a shipmate honoring the death of his captain, a poet
honoring the death of his hero, and a priest attempting to
bring the Captain back from the dead.

I. Introduction- (should briefly introduce poem and author; should place


thesis as last sentence)
- Intro Information
- Use Dead Poet’s Society to introduce Walt Whitman and the
title of the paper
- Thesis: (insert above)

II. Body Paragraphs: (should be broken into 1-3 paragraphs; each


paragraph will support your thesis sentence)
1. Comment: Whitman writes as a shipmate honoring the death of
his captain.
a. Support: example from text
- Whitman writes “where on the deck my captain
lies.”
- using the possessive “my,” Whitman claims
ownership of the dead captain and readers see the
strong relationship between the sailor and the
captain
b. Support: example from essay
- Jan Hochman says, “becomes a privileged ‘I’ (and
eye) (Hochman).
- The sailor is the only one to know of the Captains
death and is then responsible for informing the
onlookers of this fact
c. Support: example from text

d. Support: example from essay

2. Comment: Whitman writes as a poet honoring the death of his


hero.
a. Support: example from text

b. Support: example from essay

c. Support: example from text

Flowers
Analyze the poem O Captain My Captain and discuss the poem’s
theme, extended metaphor, speaker, or diction.
Write a 2-4 page paper using at least 3 examples from Hochman’s
article to support your claim.
d. Support: example from essay

3. Comment: Whitman writes as a priest attempting to bring the


Captain back from the dead.
a. Support: example from text

b. Support: example from essay

c. Support: example from text

d. Support: example from essay

III. Conclusion: (should wrap up your essay and restate your thesis)

Flowers

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