American Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which of the poems below was NOT written by Walt Whitman?

1. "I Sing the Body Electric"

2. "A Red, Red Rose"

3. "O Captain! My Captain!"

4. "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"

The correct answer is: "A Red, Red Rose"

Context Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist who lived in the 19th century. He is best known for his collection of poems titled "Leaves of Grass." "A Red, Red Rose" was written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, not Walt Whitman. Whitman did not write any poems with romantic themes, such as love and relationships, which is the main focus of "A Red, Red Rose." The other three poems listed were all written by Walt Whitman and can be found in his "Leaves of Grass" collection. "I Sing the Body Electric," "O Captain! My Captain!" and "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" all have themes that are closely aligned with Whitman's writing style - celebrating the human body, honoring national heroes, and capturing everyday life in poetic form. Therefore, the correct answer is B.