Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Song of Myself, Section 21 explained
The poet declares himself the poet of both body and soul, embracing all human experience.
What happens
The poet declares himself the poet of both body and soul, embracing all human experience. He asserts the equality of women and men, celebrates the mother of men, and rejects false modesty. The chapter culminates in a passionate, erotic address to the night and the earth, personified as a lover.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker fully internalizes the world’s suffering, feeling…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Unity of Soul and Body
The poet explicitly claims to be the poet of both Body and Soul, integrating physical and spiritual experience.
- Sexuality and the Body
The passionate address to the night and earth is charged with erotic imagery, celebrating sensual love.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul”
I speak for both physical and spiritual existence.
Whitman declares his comprehensive poetic scope.
“And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man”
Women and men are equally valuable.
A radical assertion of gender equality for the era.
“Prodigal, you have given me love—therefore I to you give love! O unspeakable passionate love.”
The earth has lavished love on me, and I return that love with overwhelming passion.
The poet's ecstatic response to nature's generosity.
