Leaves of Grass · Chapter
As They Draw to a Close explained
The poet reflects on the underlying aims and seeds planted in his preceding songs, celebrating joy, aspiration, and the fusion of space and time.
What happens
The poet reflects on the underlying aims and seeds planted in his preceding songs, celebrating joy, aspiration, and the fusion of space and time. He embraces death as equal to life and seeks to unify diverse lives with nature and the soul.
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 Falling action.
- 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
- Death and Immortality
The poet accepts and exults in Death as the same as life, emphasizing a cyclical, eternal identity.
- Celebration of Nature and the Universe
Nature encompassing God and the joyous, electric all is celebrated, with mountains, rocks, streams, and forests invoked.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Of the seed I have sought to plant in them, Of joy, sweet joy, through many a year, in them, (For them, for them have I lived, in them my work is done,)”
The poet speaks of the core purpose and joy he has cultivated in his songs, affirming that his life's work is fulfilled through them.
Reflects on the foundational intent and fulfillment of his poetic mission.
“To the sense of Death, and accepting exulting in Death in its turn the same as life,”
He embraces the concept of Death, celebrating it as an equal counterpart to life.
Highlights the theme of death and immortality, accepting death as a natural part of existence.
“To compact you, ye parted, diverse lives, To put rapport the mountains and rocks and streams, And the winds of the north, and the forests of oak and pine, With you O soul.”
He aims to unite separate, varied lives and harmonize natural elements with the soul.
Emphasizes the unity of all existence, blending nature and the spiritual self.
