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I am perplexed by the statement in the intro that "O Captain! My Captain!" was particularly popular before the mid-19th century, when it was written in 1865, which is more than halfway through the century. I don't know enough about the subject to be able to tell what might be meant here, but from a glance at the article on the poem, it had a shift in critical opinion in the mid-20th century - could this be a date error? In any case, the statement as it stands seems chronologically impossible. MW691 (talk) 04:43, 4 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Hi, Eddie. You can more or less consider this an informal peer review. As usual, feel free to reply here with any queries, or reach to me where we usually chat about content.
Structural feedback:
Background focuses too much on Whitman. I think splitting background into two subheadings—Abraham Lincoln and Walt Whitman—is probably the most straightforward way to give biographical background on both of them.
The alternative is to reconsider the article's specific scope. Right now, Walt Whitman and Abraham Lincoln is pretty wide, and signals to me that it should be about both of them. But Walt Whitman's poetry about Abraham Lincoln has a much tighter scope, with Whitman and his poetry as the actual subject. The reason I suggest that is because that's essentially what the article is. The headings (reception, analysis) indicate that this isn't about their relationship (they didn't have one); it’s about the poetry, why it was written, critical responses to it.
Content feedback:
Honestly, Eddie, the content is all there. I don't think you need to worry about content. I've reviewed the PR and GOCE and I don't think either gave this article what it actually needs, which is all structural—what I said above. Things renamed. I think this quote needs to be massively shrunk (if you want it, consider a quote box on the side?)
"heroic, shrewd, fully-informed, healthy-bodied, middle-aged, beard-faced American blacksmith or boatman come down from the West across the Alleghanies [sic], and walk into the Presidency, dressed in a clean suit of working attire, and with the tan all over his face, breast, and arms; I would certainly vote for that sort of man, possessing the due requirements, before any other candidate"
Why couldn't it be:
In 1856, Whitman wrote a lengthy description of his ideal president, described by Whitman biographer Justin Kaplan as a "Lincolnesque figure". Whitman desired a "heroic" figure, cunning and bold in temperament and knowledgeable about the world. He also opined on this hypothetical president's physical attributes: bearded and dressed in "a clean suit of working attire". Whitman explicitly mentions blacksmiths and boatmen as ideal precursor occupations.
Just trimming down that excess would do so much to give the article a better general feel.
Other than these? I think the article's pretty good. IMO, it’s not far off FAC. I think, if you were going full-throttle, it'd probably only take you a day to get it ready? An image would be good for Reception (a first edition cover of Leaves of Grass would work IMO). Don't fret about this. Give me a shout when you need another look over. I don't want to C/E it in case this prompts any big changes, but I'm around! — ImaginesTigers (talk∙contribs) 20:48, 14 June 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Thanks, ImaginesTigers, what do you think about it now? The only reason I don't want to move it to Walt Whitman's poetry about Abraham Lincoln is because there's a decent amount of content that doesn't fit under that narrower scope, including his lectures and Whitman's obsession with Lincoln during the latter's life-- I think it would be limiting to tie the story solely to poetry. Let me know what you think and thank you so much again for all your work. Eddie891TalkWork15:56, 18 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
@Eddie891: I'm so sorry, Eddie. I just don't have any time to edit right now (have just started my first post-uni job, and I'm exhausted after work finishes). I gave the article another look and think it’s looking decent. But if I want to review at FAC I don't think I have time to assist again. tl;dr: I think you should find someone with FAC experience who hasn't seen this article yet, ask them to run some eyes over it, then (if all is good) nominate. Really sorry, Eddie, but I don't know when I'll be editing again properly and I don't want to leave you in a liminal space forever. — ImaginesTigers (talk∙contribs) 00:25, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]