Leaves of Grass · Character

Priests

Religious officials, often critiqued in the text.

minor

Priests's tie to Narrator is one of the pressures that moves Leaves of Grass—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Addressed directly as 'you priests' in the opening line, representing organized religion.

In the storyChapter 43Open this moment free

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With Narrator (rivalry): Priests represent institutional religion that the narrator often critiques or opposes in favor of personal spirituality. In Chapter 43: Addressed directly as 'you priests' in the opening line,…

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Character Web

11 connections

A slice of how Priests sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Historical and Symbolic Personages
National and Mythic Archetypes
Protagonist

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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…

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Relationships

Narrator
rivalry · negative
Priests represent institutional religion that the narrator often critiques or opposes in… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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In the story

Priests appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter 43
Addressed directly as 'you priests' in the opening line, representing organized religion.
Allons! The Open Road Journey Begins
Dismissed as 'bat-eyed and materialistic,' representing outdated dogmas.
Chapter 8: The European Headsman and the New Race
Addressed in the warning 'Mind you O foreign kings, O priests, the crop shall never run out.'
With Antecedents
Mentioned as part of the fading religions and kingdoms of the past.
With Antecedents
Referenced as part of fading religions and traditions from old continents.
Chapter 13
Priests are said to have their work done, implying their role is ending.
Spain, 1873–74
Mentioned among the 'tombs of priests' as part of the old European debris being left behind.
A Persian Lesson
Young priests and students who receive the Sufi's final lesson.

Chapter companion notes

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See Priests in Chapter 43