O Captain

Send us Fan Mail This episode - “O Captain” deals with the relationship between Walt Whitman and Peter Doyle. “O Captain” describes how Walt and Peter met, their histories, and the possible influence of Peter Doyle on some of Whitman’s works - especially O Captain, My Captain. Peter Doyle was actually present at Lincoln’s murder, and the genesis of the use of “the captain steering a ship/country” is discussed. The episode ends with some sections of letters that Whitman and Doyle wrote to each other. Who was Peter Doyle? How did Peter Doyle and Walt Whitman meet? Where did they meet? What are some possible influences for “O Captain, My Captain”? What influenced “Beat! Beat! Drums”? Why was Lincoln’s assasination especially real to Peter Boyle? What is the subject of “Come Up From the Fields, Father”? 00:00 Introduction 01:44 When Walt Met Peter 05:45 Beat! Beat! Drums 08:44 Lincoln’s Assassination 13:06 O Captain, My Captain 19:19 Whitman’s Health aand his love for Doyle 23:24 Doyle writes about Walt 24:45 Next episode 25:13 Sources 25:41 Outro Support the show Thank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.