# Priests — Leaves of Grass character guide

> Priests in Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0047-song-of-myself

## Who they are

Religious officials, often critiqued in the text.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/narrator)

_rivalry_

Priests represent institutional religion that the narrator often critiques or opposes in favor of personal spirituality.

## In the story

### [Chapter 43](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/43)

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

### [Allons! The Open Road Journey Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/10)

Dismissed as 'bat-eyed and materialistic,' representing outdated dogmas.

### [Chapter 8: The European Headsman and the New Race](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/8)

Addressed in the warning 'Mind you O foreign kings, O priests, the crop shall never run out.'

### [With Antecedents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/with-antecedents)

Mentioned as part of the fading religions and kingdoms of the past.

### [With Antecedents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/1)

Referenced as part of fading religions and traditions from old continents.

### [Chapter 13](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/13)

Priests are said to have their work done, implying their role is ending.

### [Spain, 1873–74](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/spain-1873-74)

Mentioned among the 'tombs of priests' as part of the old European debris being left behind.

### [A Persian Lesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/a-persian-lesson)

Young priests and students who receive the Sufi's final lesson.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters/priests
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/characters