O Captain ! My Captain by Walt Whitman questions and answers

Q." The ship is anchored safe and sound" - What is meant by ship ? How is the ship anchored "safe and sound"?

Ans:- The ship means the United States of America.

             Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of America defeated the confederates like a real and true captain.He showed his  power by defeating the confederates of Southern States of America and by defeating the confederates he preserved national integrity of the United States of America. He made it secure from the external and internal dangers. He proved that a true captain can control his ship well from all kinds of dangers.

Q."Here captain dear father this arm beneath your head" - Who is the captain ? Why does the poet call him dear father ? Why does the poet place his arm beneath the captain's head?

Ans :- Abraham Lincoln is the captain here.

           The poet called Abraham Lincoln dear father because he thought that Abraham Lincoln was a real captain for big ship like USA. Besides that Lincoln was the father of nation because he was the president of the country.

              The finds that his dear captain is no more. He is lying dead. To him it is unbeliable to hear that the great captain is no more. He thinks that the captain is resting only. He believes that his captain will rise once again. To help his to rise easily he places his arm beneath his head.