Monday, March 3, 2008

Dead Poets' Society-O Captain! My Captain!

On the first day of school, Mr. Keating tells his students that they may call him "O Captain! My Captain!"



Mr. Keating took this name from the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" by his favorite poet, Walt Whitman. Whitman wrote the poem as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln through the use of metaphor:
  • The captain represents Abraham Lincoln.
  • The ship represents the United States.
  • The rack (which means storm) represents the Civil War.
Please take a few moments to read "O Captain! My Captain!" (taken from www.bartleby.com).

Walt Whitman. 1819–1892

743. O Captain! My Captain!

O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart! 5
O the bleeding drops of red!
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills, 10
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here, Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck 15
You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; 20
Exult, O shores! and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Here are some things to think about:
  • When you think of the word CAPTAIN, what thoughts come to mind (i.e. strong, brave, etc.)?
  • Why might Mr. Keating suggest that students call him captain?
You are expected to read this poem and think about the questions; if you type a response, record it in your blog log for 5 bonus points.

109 comments:

Ashley S said...

1)I think of a pirate captain.
2)He might have suggested that because he is in charge of everyone because he is the teacher.

Maggie A (LRT 7/8b) said...

1) I think of a very courageous person who is a leader.
2)I think he wanted them to call him that because he wanted to show the kids that they could have fun in his class, but they could still learn things. He wanted to show them that he was a different teacher. Maybe it was his favorite poem.

Erica said...

1. When I think of captain, I think of somebody that is a leader to others. He/She can be good or sometimes a captain can be bad. For example, Captain Hook is a bad captain but he is still the man in charge.
2. He wanted to show the kids that he is the leader of the class.

sebastian r (lrt 7/8b) said...

1) I think of someone in charge.
2) He feels that the others should respect him as their leader.

Fallon S. 5/6B said...

1. I think of someone who is a good leader and is also very courageous.
2. He told them they could call him captain because he's the teacher which makes him the leader or captain of the class.

Addy Z (LRT 1/2A) said...

When I think of Captain, I think of a leader, and Mr. Keating is the leader of the class.

That One Guy said...

1. I think of someone who is in charge of others, for better or worse.
2. Hes in charge, so he is the captain of his class.

Aly B ( LRT 1/2A) said...

1 It makes me think of a powerful man who has control over everyone working on his ship whether they like it or not.
2 Because he's the one in charge and he has the power and is willing to help.

mackenzie kelley said...

when i think of a captin i think of somone who is a respected leader.also i think that many people would turn to him for advice.
he might want to be called a captin because he wants to be a role modle for his students

Nora said...

When I hear the word "Captain" I think of a leader. He was suggesting students call him captain because he was joking that he was their leader, someone they should all look up to. He was also probably trying to show them that he was an easygoing guy.

NoviceLD said...

1. I think of a leader, but nothing specific comes to mind because captains can be different. From cold and ruthless to not-really-captain-ish.
2. He wants to be respected and also reinforce that he is tied very much to the literary world.

Unknown said...

1. i think of the leader of the shiip or like a pirate guy.

2. he mabey wanted them to call him that to show them that he is the leader of the class

sarsteffen said...

1)I think of a strong, brave, comandimg, and powerful leader
2)He wants them to think of him as a leader with all the characteristics above

Philip C. (LRT 1/2A) said...

1. I think of a very strong leader
2. I think he wanted them to call him that so he could show them that he was a good leader.

David K (1/2 B) said...

1) What comes to mind to me is a pirate captain.

2) He wanted the class to know that he was in charge.

aaronp.(5/6B) said...

1 i think of a captain of a large vessel
2 he wanted them to call him that because he has always dreamed of being a captain of a large vessel

Julia said...

1) i think of the captain of a ship or of a sports team. they are the leaders and in charge
2) hes in charge of the class, the leader

Max F (LRT 5/6B) said...

The word captain means someone who is the leader of everyone else. Someone who will do anything for his ship, he will go down with it. Abraham Lincoln would do anything for the United States of America, even die for it. Which he did.

Because he is the leader of the class, and will do anything to teach and get his students to have the freedom to do and say what they want. Think for themselves, not be told to do, or say what someone tells them to.

Peter M (1/2 B) said...

When i think of the word captain, i think of someone you can look up to like nick leer.
He might want to be called captain because he is superior to his students.

Fresa S. said...

1)When I think of the word captain I think of a leader who is brave, courageous, strong and smart.
2)I think Mr. Keating told the students to call him captain because he wants to lead his students to greatness.

Emily A said...

1)i think of someone who is a honorary person a role model.
2)maybe he wants kids to respect him and think of him as a person with high standards

patty w (5/6 A) said...

1)I think about pirats. And Captain Jack Sperrow.
2)He might want them to call them that because it shows he is in charge of his class like a pirate is of his ship

Megan R (1/2 B) said...

1) When I think of the word captain I think of the captain of a ship who either has a sailor suit on or is a pirate.

2) I think Mr. Keating wanted the kids to call him captain because the word comes with bravery and honor and usually the sailors are loyal to their captain, so maybe he's implying that they should be loyal to him also.

Matt H (LRT 1/2 A) said...

1. I think of a leader.

2. I think this because he was the teacher and he was teaching them about poetry.

Mackenzie Sorensen said...

1. When I think of Captain I think of someone who is very brave and persuasive. They can also command large "crews."
2. I think he wanted to be called O Captain My Captain! because he thought it showed respect for their "leader" and how he won his "battle for freedom."

Mitlentz said...

i think of my soccer captins
he suggests this because he wants his students to think of him as a captin/leader more than a teacher

Dan M said...

1) When I hear the word captain I think of leader, bold, daring, and willing to take risks.
2) He wants them to think of him as a leader. He wants them to re-kindle the Dead Poet's Society and finish what he started.

ellie w. 7/8A said...

When I think of a captain, I think of someone who is willing to lead his people with loyalty and honesty.

He might be suggesting them to call him Captain to be funny, or because he is the teacher and the learder of the class.

PS: Hey! we read this peom in L.A.!

wheremypancakes said...

1. I think of somebody who is courageous and strong and a leader.
2. He wanted to show the boys that he is the leader of the class but in a kind of fun way.

Alexis L. said...

When I think of the word captain, I think of a leading figure who is brave and leads other people to what they are suppose to be doing, in Mr. Keaton's case, they would call him captain because he leads them into the world of poetry whether its directly form the textbooks or not.

Kate O 7/8b said...

1. i think of like a captain of a ship..
2. i think he wanted the to call him that because a captain is some one who is brave, important and in charge so thats what he wanted to be known for.

Maddie F (LRT 1/2A) said...

1. i think of a leader
2.he wanted to respected as a captain

GAGALOVER said...

1.I think about someone strong and who has good leadership skills.

2. because he is the captain of the class.

Emily D said...

1. I think of a pirate captain or a captain in battle.
2. I think he told his class to call him Captain because he wanted them to know that he is the leader and that they can have fun in his class.

monica o (1/2 B) said...

1- When I think of a captain, I think of a brave person who takes lots of risks.
2- Mr Keating wants his students to call him captain because he wants to give them the sense that they can trust him.

KaTyH 5/6 A said...

1) I think of a leader and a person with alot of courage.
2) I think he said they could call him that because he was in charge.

Michelle L. (LRT 5/6B) said...

1. I think of a leader.

2.He might have suggested that because he is in charge and he is leading the class.

Shannon Awes said...

1) I think of Johnny Depp. Also courage and bravery.
2)I think he wanted them to call him that because he is the leader of the class.

Anonymous said...

1.Captian- strong, brave, leader
2. Why he wants the class to call him captain- he is in charge of them and he will lead them through the year.

Brooke D (7/8B) said...

1-Well, O'captan my captan is a verry interesting poem and it incorperates many things about "the captan" like a ship captan
2- I think this is incorperated to Mr.keaton like the inportance of him in the class room like the captan of a ship.

Emma C said...

1. I think of someone that is a leader.
2.Because he wants his students to see him as a leader.

Sam.c said...

1) i think of a ship captain

2) i think he suggested it because he is the teacher and there for the leader of the class

Allie B said...

1. The word captain is a name for a leader, just like Lincoln was the leader of the US by being the president

2. Mr. Keating had the students call him captain because he is their leader by being their teacher

Anonymous said...

1 i think of a captain of a large vessel
2 he wanted them to call him that because he has always dreamed of being a captain of a large vessel

KelseyE said...

1. It reminds me of a leader.
2. Because he is the leader.

~kelsey E 5/6 A

Uzi M. said...

i think of my soccer captins
he suggests this because he wants his students to think of him as a captin/leader more than a teacher

nicole h said...

It makes me think of a captain of a ship.
Mr.Keating thinks of him as the Captain of the class and the class is his crew.

Eric H (LRT 7/8A) said...

I think of Captain Kirk from Star Trek.

He wanted to establish his dominance over the children

XOXO said...

1) When I think of captain; I think of a person with a feathered had and has some sort of superiority over others.

2) Maybe because 'O captain my captain' is his favorite poem so they wanted him to call him that so that he's always reminded of the poem. Or maybe it's just some kind of joke to show the kids that he isn't some uptight kind of guy.

Lindsey S said...

1. When I think of a captain, I think of somebody that is a leader to others. He/She can be good or sometimes a captain can be bad.
2. He wanted to show the kids that he is the leader of the class.

holle g (5/6b) said...

when i think of captain, i think of someone whos in charge

mr keating might want the class to call him that because it would be a compliment to him to be thought as in charge-?

Danie N (1/2 B) said...

1. I think of a captain that is very pirate.
2. I think that he wanted to have the class call him that because o show the kids to have a little fun in there life.

Alyssa K said...

i think of captin barbosa form p.c. because we just watched that movie in orchestra.


i think he has them call him Captin because he is there leader he will teach them and lead them throught the school year.

Josie W said...

1. when i think of captain, i think of someone who leads very powerfully.
2. I think he wanted them to call him that to show that he can lead them and to add some excitement into class.

Andrew P (1/2 B) said...

1. Captain means abrave fearless leader
2. Because he is the leader of the class

Laurel W(7-8 B) said...

1. I think a captain is someone who a lot of people can look up to.

2. He might have suggested it to get his students to respect and look up to him.

muntaas h (LRT 7/8B) said...

When i think of the worl Caotain i think about a person whose controlling or telling what to do to the people he's around with or his students. When he tolled the call to call him "O Captain My Captain" i think he's telling the students to think to themselves.

Alison P (5/6 A) said...

>I think of an army general
>I think he wants them to call him captain because he is "the captain" of the class.

Sawyer K (LRT 1/2A) said...

1)I think of someone who has leader like qualities such as courage, determination, and strength.

Alma P (LRT 1/2 A) said...

1) I think of Johnny Depp, a leader, someone with courage and strength.
2) He wanted to show the boys that he was their leader in this "battle" of life.

james m said...

1. I think captian as like a baseball captian, any kind of leader on a sports team.

Kelli said...

1. I think a captain is like a leader.

2. He might want his students to call him captain because he is kind of like their leader.

Nateglewwe said...

1) I think of a leader.

2) I think he wanted them to think that he was the leader of the class.

allie a [LRT 5/6 A] said...

1) I think of a leader of a group
2) I think he said to call him "o captain, my captain" cause he's saying that he will lead them

jordieee s! said...

1)When i think of the word captin i think of a mean leader.
2)I think he suggested it because sometimes he can be mean but also nice sometimes and hes the leader of the class.

adriana o (5/6 a) said...

1.Strong, Brave , Couragous, leader.
2.He asked him to call him that because he is the leader of the class.

rachaelc said...

1) I think of a leader or a captain

2)He thinks the other people should respect him.

Nick S. 5/6B said...

When I think of a captain, I think of someone who can command respect and is smart.

He told them to call him that, maybe because the poem was by his favorite poet, or maybe because he wanted his students to think of him like that.

Chris M 5/6B said...

1) i think of a captain rnking in a war.
2)I think that he wanted them to call them that because he is the teacher and has the mast power.

Unknown said...

1. I think of a leader.

2. I think this because he was the teacher and he was teaching them about poetry.

alex c 7/8b said...

When i think of a captin i think of a strong brave leader willing to do anything to protect his friends

kami h 7/8 b said...

1. i think of a leader.
2. he wanted to show kids that class could be fun.

kellyk said...

1) when i see captain, i think of a couragoues leader.
2)i think the students would call him that, because he is like a captain because he is the leader of his crew, meaning the students.

sam r said...

1. I think captain means a brave leader.
2. Because he wants to be brave and lead them to good things.

Alex S said...

when i think of a captin i think of somone who is a respected leader.also i think that many people would turn to him for advice.
he might want to be called a captin because he wants to be a role modle for his students

Kriften G!! said...

I think of the leader who is importent and quite grand.

I suppose he wanted them to call him that becouse he was there teacher and there leader and he was quite grand.

John R (1/2A) said...

1) I think of a pirate
2) He might have suggested that because he is in charge of everyone because he is the teacher.

danbach said...

1. I think of a leader

2.so they can look at the world in a diffrent way

Nick L (LRT 5/6 A) said...

1) When I think of a captain I thing of a strong leader.

2) I think that Mr. Keating wanted his class to call him" O Captain! My Captain!" to show that he was going to be the leader of the class and to follow him.

-Nick L

shelby h said...

1) i think of captian as wise, strong, and intelligent.

2)because a teacher is wise and intelligent.

clara k!! said...

1) the poem illustrates this movie really well.
2) i really likeed it!!!

Michael W (LRT 5/6B) said...

I think of the captain of a ship and Mr. Keating wanted to think of him as their captian instead of thier teacher.

Preston B said...

1) i think of a person that has a lot of power.
2) Mr keating told them they could call him captain because he's the teacher which makes him the leader or captain of the class.

Morgan W said...

leader

he uses it as a joke in the begining but it grows to something much more meaningfull

Ellen G (LRT 5/6 B) said...

1. I think if a leader of others.
2. That he was the leader of the class.

Libby said...

1. The words that come to mind are brave' truthful, strong and fearless.
2. Because he's their leader.

Julia P. (5/6 B) said...

1) I think a captain is someone who has good leadership skills, is kind, and brave.
2) He wanted to show the students that he was the leader of the classroom but that he still wants to have fun.

sofia h (7/8 b) said...

1)When I think of the word captain I think of a leader who is brave, courageous, strong and smart.
2)I think Mr. Keating told the students to call him captain because he wants to lead his students to greatness.

Nick B (lrt 5/6 B) said...

I think its about a pirate ship. I think he said it because he is the leader of them.

Matt M (5/6 B) said...

when i think of captain i think of the leader of something like a ship.
He might want them to call him that because he is their captain that is teaching them.

Emma P (1/2 B) said...

1) I think of Jack Sparrow
2) Because he is in charge

christian w (lrt 5/6b) said...

1) I think of a strong, brave, leader.

2) I think he was trying to be funny.

Jon M (LRT 5/6 A) said...

1. I think of a strong leader who directs people on a boat. I also think of pirates.

2.Because Mr. Keating is in charge of them.

cailyn c said...

1. I think of a brave leader that is strong.
2. Because he is a brave leader that is strong.

Olivia A. (LRT 7/8A) said...

1) I think of a leader

2) Because he is the leader of the class and they are sort of the crew.

Sofia B (LRT 5/6 A) said...

1) I think of a pirate or something...
2)I think he wanted them to call him that because he wanted to show the kids that they could have fun in his class, but they could still learn things. He wanted to show them that he was a different teacher.

Alex H (LRT 1/2A) said...

not here

Hannah A (LRT 7/8 A) said...

1) I think of the words leader, strong, brave, responsible, courageous, and in charge.

2) He wanted the students to know that he was in charge and that he was the leader of them.

Loic.A(LRT 7/8A) said...

1. i think of a leader
2. yea i wanted them to call him o captain my captain if a teacher's class is that fun i would

Nika W! (1/2 B) said...

1) i think of a leader of somthing very important.
2) he might want his students to call him that so they know that hes in charge but they dont have to do everything exactly how he does it.

Unknown said...

1. very strong person

2. captain is useally leader

john h 7/8B said...

i think of a captain of a big ship and i think he was showing them another way of seeing things through a different perspective

Isabel B (LRT 5/6 A) said...

When i think of captain i think of the captain of a ship. I think Mr. Keating had the students call him captain because he was the leader of the class, like the leader of a ship.

Greg M (7-8A) said...

1. I think of a captain of a ship.

2. He wanted to show the kids that he can be different and stil lbe the same

jessica G said...

1. ship
2. because he wants them to listen to him.

JohnB said...

When I hear the word "Captain" I think of a leader. He was suggesting students call him captain because he was joking that he was their leader, someone they should all look up to. He also probably trying to show them that he was an easygoing guy.

braschill said...

1. i think of like a leader and a strong wise person who can teach and lead others.
2. because he is leading them into the learning of poetry
3. this poem is like abrahamlincoln and he leads the country through the war and mr. keating leads the class through the teachings.

wes F. said...

1. I think of a commander who has been brave and gone threw alot.

2. To show that you dont always have to us the names Mr. and Mrs.

Anna B said...

1. I think about a brave strong ship captain

2. He wants his students to see him as the brave strong leader who can be a role model. He wants them to give him respect.