"O Captain!" Poem Comparison: Storyboard That Activity

Q: How do you compare 'O Captain! My Captain!' with 'To an Athlete Dying Young' in a classroom activity?

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.

Q: What are some key similarities and differences between 'O Captain! My Captain!' and 'To an Athlete Dying Young'?

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.

Q: What is an effective way to help students analyze and compare poems?

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.

Q: How can 'O Captain! My Captain!' be compared to works from other genres in a lesson?

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.

Q: What are some engaging poetry comparison activities for middle school students?

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.

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Activity Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Activity Overview

Students can deepen their understanding of a poem by comparing it to other poems. The process of comparing allows students to use analytical skills and higher order thinking. In this storyboard activity, students will compare “O Captain! My Captain!” to A. E. Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young.” Both poems address heroes dying at the height of their glory, but convey different emotions and themes. Have students compare or contrast the poems’ basic events, characters, images, structure, tones, or figurative language. By pointing out similarities and/or differences between these elements, students can then identify the differing themes of the two poems.

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:

“Elegy for J.F.K.” or “Funeral Blues” by W. H. Auden
Brutus’ funeral oration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Photographs of President Lincoln or President Kennedy’s funerals

Poetry Comparison Example for O Captain! My Captain!

	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"

Copy Activity*

Template and Class Instructions

(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.

Use the template provided by your teacher.
Add an additional row.
In the title boxes, select three different things to compare (events, characters, imagery, structure, etc.)
In the first row, describe each of the things as they pertain to "O Captain! My Captain!"
In the second row, describe each of the things as they pertain to your chosen poem.
Illustrate each description with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 5 (Advanced / Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Chart Layout

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity*

Activity Overview

Students can deepen their understanding of a poem by comparing it to other poems. The process of comparing allows students to use analytical skills and higher order thinking. In this storyboard activity, students will compare “O Captain! My Captain!” to A. E. Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young.” Both poems address heroes dying at the height of their glory, but convey different emotions and themes. Have students compare or contrast the poems’ basic events, characters, images, structure, tones, or figurative language. By pointing out similarities and/or differences between these elements, students can then identify the differing themes of the two poems.

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:

“Elegy for J.F.K.” or “Funeral Blues” by W. H. Auden
Brutus’ funeral oration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
Photographs of President Lincoln or President Kennedy’s funerals

Poetry Comparison Example for O Captain! My Captain!

	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"

Copy Activity*

Template and Class Instructions

(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.

Use the template provided by your teacher.
Add an additional row.
In the title boxes, select three different things to compare (events, characters, imagery, structure, etc.)
In the first row, describe each of the things as they pertain to "O Captain! My Captain!"
In the second row, describe each of the things as they pertain to your chosen poem.
Illustrate each description with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 5 (Advanced / Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Chart Layout

Switch to: Common Core • Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • Georgia • Iowa • Kansas • Maryland • Massachusetts • Nebraska • New Jersey • New York • North Carolina • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pennsylvania • Texas • Utah

Copy Activity*

How Tos about O Captain! My Captain! Poetry Comparison

1

Organize a Poetry Comparison Gallery Walk

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.

2

Assign students to review and reflect on peers’ work

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.

3

Facilitate a whole-class discussion of key insights

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.

4

Encourage students to revise their comparisons

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about O Captain! My Captain! Poetry Comparison

How do you compare 'O Captain! My Captain!' with 'To an Athlete Dying Young' in a classroom activity?

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.

What are some key similarities and differences between 'O Captain! My Captain!' and 'To an Athlete Dying Young'?

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.

What is an effective way to help students analyze and compare poems?

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.

How can 'O Captain! My Captain!' be compared to works from other genres in a lesson?

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.

What are some engaging poetry comparison activities for middle school students?

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.