Walt Whitman

I read the Walt Whitman poem "O Captain! My captain!" This poem was about a group of soldiers finally making their way back home after a long struggle in war. They are so relieved to be home but it is also a sad moment. During the war, or the journey home, the captain of these soldiers has died. The man telling the story is speaking about how the struggle is over and how happy he is but he keeps bringing up the dead captain. He wishes the captain could be there withi him to experience the homecoming. "O CAPTAIN! my Captain, our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won." (Whitman) The man still talks to the captain as if he is still there with him. He wishes the captain could experience this moment with him. I believe that Thoreau could somewhat be like the soldier telling this poem. Thoreau believe standing up for what you believe in is very important in life. You can tell he believes in this idea in his story "Civil Disobedience." In Civil Disobedience Thoreau disagrees with the United States government and decides to just not listen to what the government had to say. He believed the government was wrong so Thoreau intended to do what he believed is right. But, he did have punishment for doing this. He was sent to jail because he stood up for what he believed in. This is like the captain in this poem. He stood up for what he believed in and fought for his country in the war. He believed this is what was right and as you can see he had a punishment as well. His punishment is worse than Thoreau's was though. Instead of being sent to jail the captain was killed for what he thought was right. Thoreau would think that is a shame that people have to die when they stand up for what they believe in.

Whitman, Walt. "O Captain! My Captain!" Internal.org. Web. 12 Mar. 2012.