Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Good-Bye My Fancy explained
The narrator bids farewell to his poetic imagination, acknowledging that the right time for his final words has not yet come, and he will reserve their meaning until the end.
What happens
The narrator bids farewell to his poetic imagination, acknowledging that the right time for his final words has not yet come, and he will reserve their meaning until the end.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- 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 farewell and deferral of meaning suggest an approaching end and the hope for a proper, lasting expression.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The speaker who addresses his own fancy, preparing to part ways.
Key passages
“Good-Bye My Fancy Goodbye 3 my fancy—(I had a word to say, But ’tis not quite the time—The best of any man’s word or say, Is when its proper place arrives—and for its meaning, I keep mine till the last.)”
Farewell to my imagination; I have something to express, but the moment isn't right—the most powerful statement comes at its perfect time, so I will hold onto my message until the end.
The poet postpones his final declaration, emphasizing the importance of timing and the preservation of meaning.
