Leaves of Grass · Chapter
No Labor-Saving Machine explained
The speaker renounces material achievements, inventions, wealth, and literary fame, offering instead only a few songs of comradeship and love as his legacy.
What happens
The speaker renounces material achievements, inventions, wealth, and literary fame, offering instead only a few songs of comradeship and love as his legacy.
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
- Comradeship and Love
The speaker's legacy is a few carols for comrades and lovers, emphasizing personal bonds over material wealth.
- Individuality and Self
The speaker defines his worth not by conventional achievements but by his unique offering of song.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The speaker reflects on his lack of material or intellectual legacy.
- America
Mentioned as the nation for which no deed of courage is left.
- Comradeship and Love
The intended audience for the carols left behind.
Key passages
“No labor-saving machine, Nor discovery have I made, Nor will I be able to leave behind me any wealthy bequest to found a hospital or library, Nor reminiscence of any deed of courage for America, Nor literary success nor intellect, nor book for the book-shelf, But a few carols vibrating through the air I leave, For comrades and lovers.”
I have invented no machine, made no discovery, and will leave no fortune for charity, no heroic memory for America, no literary fame or book. Instead, I leave only a few songs that linger in the air, meant for friends and lovers.
The speaker contrasts worldly achievements with the intangible gift of song for intimate companions.
