"The Gettysburg Address" by Lincoln and "O Captain! My Captain!" by Whitman differ in their use of pathos. Pathos refers to emotional appeals used to impact the audience's feelings. In this case, Lincoln's speech evokes a sense of patriotism, sacrifice, and national unity through its emotional language. For example, Lincoln mentions the honored dead and their devotion to the nation, invoking feelings of respect and admiration for those who have sacrificed their lives for a greater cause.
On the other hand, Whitman's poem focuses more on personal grief and loss, expressing the speaker's emotional turmoil over the death of a beloved leader (the captain). The lines about the captain not answering, pale lips, and lack of pulse convey a sense of sadness and mourning, appealing to the reader's emotions on an individual level.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is:
- The poem relies more on pathos than the speech does.
While both pieces may contain elements of pathos, the poem "O Captain! My Captain!" leans more heavily on emotional appeals related to personal loss and grief, whereas "The Gettysburg Address" by Lincoln emphasizes a broader emotional appeal tied to patriotism and national unity.
