# Starting from Paumanok explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The narrator introduces himself as born on Paumanok, raised by a perfect mother, and a traveler of many lands. He identifies as a dweller of Mannahatta, a soldier, miner, and woodsman, and celebrates his connection to nature and the American landscape. He strikes up for a New World.

## Themes in this chapter

### Celebration of Nature and the Universe

The narrator expresses awe and connection to natural elements like the Missouri, Niagara, buffalo herds, and the hermit thrush.

### Individuality and Self

The narrator asserts his personal history, occupations, and solitary musings as foundational to his identity.

### America and Its People

The poem celebrates the American landscape and the diverse roles of its people, from city dwellers to soldiers and miners.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Introduces himself as born on Paumanok, raised by a perfect mother, and a traveler of many lands and occupations.

### Paumanok

Referenced as the fish-shape place of the narrator's birth.

### America

Implied through the New World and the diverse American landscapes and experiences described.

## Key lines

> Starting from fish-shape Paumanok where I was born, Well-begotten, and rais’d by a perfect mother, After roaming many lands, lover of populous pavements, Dweller in Mannahatta my city, or on southern savannas, Or a soldier camp’d or carrying my knapsack and gun, or a miner in California, Or rude in my home in Dakota’s woods, my diet meat, my drink from the spring, Or withdrawn to muse and meditate in some deep recess, Far from the clank of crowds intervals passing rapt and happy, Aware of the fresh free giver the flowing Missouri, aware of mighty Niagara, Aware of the buffalo herds grazing the plains, the hirsute and strong-breasted bull, Of earth, rocks, Fifth-month flowers experienced, stars, rain, snow, my amaze, Having studied the mocking-bird’s tones and the flight of the mountain-hawk, And heard at dawn the unrivall’d one, the hermit thrush from the swamp-cedars, Solitary, singing in the West, I strike up for a New World.

Born on Paumanok and raised by a perfect mother, I have roamed many lands, lived in cities and wilderness, worked as a soldier, miner, and woodsman, and found joy in solitude and nature. I have experienced the Missouri, Niagara, buffalo, and the songs of birds. Now I begin a song for a New World.

_The narrator establishes his origins, diverse experiences, and intent to sing for a new era._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/1
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters