You can also have students compare the poem to selections from other genres, including artwork, film, speeches, short stories, and novels.
Other suggestions for comparison:
| EVENTS | IMPORTANT IMAGES | THEMES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| O Captain! My Captain! | The nation is in the midst of celebrating Lincoln's Civil War victory when he dies. | Negative images: pale, cold body and drops of blood | Death is tragic: "O heart! heart! heart!" |
| To an Athlete Dying Young | The townspeople are in the midst of celebrating the athlete's victory when he dies. | Positive images: unwithered laurels and unchallenged cup | Death is fortunate: "Now you will not swell the rout/Of lads that wore their honors out" |
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting "O Captain! My Captain!" with another piece of poetry.
Set up a gallery walk in your classroom by displaying students' poetry comparison storyboards around the room. This encourages movement and allows students to learn from each other’s work in an interactive way.
Have students use sticky notes to leave positive feedback or thoughtful questions on at least three other comparison boards. This builds critical thinking and supports a collaborative classroom culture.
Invite students to share interesting findings or surprises from the gallery walk. Guide the discussion to highlight different perspectives and deepen understanding of poetic themes and structure.
Ask students to consider the feedback they received and update their storyboards or written comparisons. This reinforces learning and shows the value of reflection and improvement.
To compare 'O Captain! My Captain!' with 'To an Athlete Dying Young', have students examine elements like events, imagery, and themes. Both poems feature the death of a celebrated figure, but present different emotions: Whitman’s poem is mournful and tragic, while Housman’s is more accepting and even celebratory. Use a chart or storyboard for students to list similarities and differences, then discuss how these shape each poem's message.
Both poems depict a hero dying at the peak of glory, but 'O Captain! My Captain!' uses negative, somber imagery to convey tragedy, while 'To an Athlete Dying Young' uses positive images to frame death as an escape from future disappointment. Their themes, tones, and use of figurative language offer rich material for comparison and contrast.
Use a storyboard or comparison chart where students select elements like events, characters, or imagery from each poem, describe them, and illustrate their findings. This visual approach supports higher order thinking and makes abstract literary analysis more accessible for grades 6–8.
Encourage students to compare 'O Captain! My Captain!' with artwork, films, speeches, or historical photographs related to similar themes (like leadership or loss). For example, students might analyze funeral speeches from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar or images from President Lincoln’s funeral to deepen understanding of the poem’s context and emotion.
Try chart-based comparisons, storyboards, or group discussions focusing on elements such as theme, tone, imagery, and structure. Assign pairs or small groups to examine two poems and present similarities and differences, or have students connect poems to visual art or historical events for interdisciplinary learning.