# Heroes — Leaves of Grass character guide > Heroes in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** the heroes, the Heroes **First appearance:** 0001-leaves-of-grass ## Who they are Generic heroic figures praised throughout the collection. ## Relationships ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Heroes are celebrated figures the narrator admires and aligns with as comrades in a democratic, epic vision. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/narrator) _friendship_ Heroes are celebrated figures the narrator admires and aligns with as comrades in a democratic, epic vision. ## In the story ### [With Music Strong I Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/18) Both known and unknown heroes are celebrated, especially those who have failed or fallen. ### [The Universal Self](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/33) The narrator understands 'the large hearts of heroes,' including the skipper who saves a drifting company. ### [The Body at Auction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/7) The man's body contains 'the makings of heroes,' linking physicality to greatness. ### [A Woman Waits for Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/a-woman-waits-for-me) The greater heroes and bards that sleep enveloped in women, awaiting the speaker's touch. ### [When I Peruse the Conquer’d Fame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/when-i-peruse-the-conquer-d-fame) Conquered heroes and mighty generals whose fame is perused. ### [Chapter 7: Visions of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/7) Referenced as part of the 'records of the earth' and the unnamed figures of past expeditions. ### [Our Old Feuillage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/our-old-feuillage) Heroes are subtly present in the depiction of the scout, the miner, and the 'athletic American matron,' representing the everyday valor and strength of the American people. ### [The Log at the Wood-Pile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/3) Alluded to in the 'antique European warrior' and those who fought for liberty. ### [A Song of the Rolling Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/1) Mentioned as part of the 'august chorus of heroes' that exists underneath the ostensible sounds of the earth. ### [Song for All Seas, All Ships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/song-for-all-seas-all-ships) Unnamed heroes on ships, preserved as seed for the race, appearing by ones or twos. ### [Song for All Seas, All Ships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/1) The unnamed heroes in the ships, the intrepid sailors and sea-captains chosen by the sea. ### [The Centenarian's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-centenarian-s-story) The young brigade of Virginia and Maryland who marched steadfastly to their deaths. ### [The Wound-Dresser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-wound-dresser) Referenced as 'unsurpass'd heroes' from both sides of the battle. ### [An Old Man Bending](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/1) Unsurpassed heroes on both sides of the conflict, equally brave. ### [I Saw Old General at Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/i-saw-old-general-at-bay) The volunteers who step forth from the ranks, risking their lives cheerfully for the cause. ### [To the Leaven’d Soil They Trod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/to-the-leaven-d-soil-they-trod) Referenced in 'the plains of the poems of heroes' as part of the landscape. ### [The Return of the Heroes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-return-of-the-heroes) The returning soldiers are called 'heroes' who now toil in the fields, wielding 'better weapons' of harvest and peace. ### [The Turn from War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/4) The soldiers and armies who fought in the war, both the proud brigades and the dread following ranks. ### [The Return of the Heroes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/6) The returning heroes are described as youthful yet veteran soldiers, hardened by campaigns, who melt away into peace. ### [Song of the Broad-Axe 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/7) Seen at other toils, wielding better weapons in the fields. ### [Toil on Heroes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/8) The toiling farmers and workers harvesting the land. ### [To a Foil’d European Revolutionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/to-a-foil-d-european-revolutionaire) Mentioned as 'the named and unnamed heroes' who pass to other spheres after suffering in the struggle for liberty. ### [The Law of Identity and Transformation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/7) Mentioned as subject to the same eternal law as all others, including drunkards and informers. ### [The Law of Identity and the Goodness of the Universe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/8) Mentioned among those who are well under the present and past law, alongside good-doers. ### [From Far Dakota’s Canyons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/from-far-dakota-s-canyons) Custer and his officers and men are described as fighting with sternest heroism, yielding up themselves in death. ### [Pensive on Her Dead Gazing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/pensive-on-her-dead-gazing) The fallen young men, referred to as 'immortal heroes,' whose bodies and blood are absorbed by the earth. ### [True Conquerors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/true-conquerors) Old farmers, travelers, workmen, sailors, and soldiers are depicted as true conquerors through their endurance. ### [The Unexpress’d](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-unexpress-d) Referenced as part of the retrospective passions and subjects of past expression. ### [The Few Drops Known](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-few-drops-known) Referenced as part of the known fragments of history, representing the scant recorded deeds amidst the vast unknown. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/heroes - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters