# Song of Myself, Section 21 explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The poet declares himself the poet of both body and soul, embracing all human experience. He asserts the equality of women and men, celebrates the mother of men, and rejects false modesty. The chapter culminates in a passionate, erotic address to the night and the earth, personified as a lover.

## Themes in this chapter

### Unity of Soul and Body

The poet explicitly claims to be the poet of both Body and Soul, integrating physical and spiritual experience.

### Sexuality and the Body

The passionate address to the night and earth is charged with erotic imagery, celebrating sensual love.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Proclaims himself poet of Body and Soul, and of woman and man.

### America

Implied as the land of equality where all may surpass the President.

### Democracy

Underpins the assertion that no one is greater than another, and all will pass on.

## Key lines

> I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul

I speak for both physical and spiritual existence.

_Whitman declares his comprehensive poetic scope._

> And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man

Women and men are equally valuable.

_A radical assertion of gender equality for the era._

> Prodigal, you have given me love—therefore I to you give love! O unspeakable passionate love.

The earth has lavished love on me, and I return that love with overwhelming passion.

_The poet's ecstatic response to nature's generosity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/21
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters