Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Chapter 43 explained
The narrator embraces all faiths and doubts, declaring a universal faith that encompasses ancient and modern worship, and affirms that every person, regardless of their fate, is included in the unfolding of existence.
What happens
The narrator embraces all faiths and doubts, declaring a universal faith that encompasses ancient and modern worship, and affirms that every person, regardless of their fate, is included in the unfolding of existence.
Themes in this chapter
Individuality and Self
The narrator asserts a personal faith that includes all beliefs, emphasizing the self as a unifying center.
Death and Immortality
The chapter confronts death, doubt, and the promise that 'what is untried and afterward' will prove sufficient.
The Poet as Prophet and Unifier
The narrator speaks as a prophetic voice, embracing all faiths and doubters, unifying humanity.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The speaker who encompasses all religions and doubts, speaking as a universal figure.
- Priests
Addressed directly as 'you priests' in the opening line, representing organized religion.
- Christ
Mentioned as 'him that was crucified' and accepted as divine.
- Death
Implied through references to the dead, graves, and the 'sea of torment'.
Key passages
“I do not despise you priests, all time, the world over, My faith is the greatest of faiths and the least of faiths, Enclosing worship ancient and modern and all between ancient and modern”
I hold no contempt for any priest of any era; my belief encompasses the largest and smallest creeds, embracing all forms of worship from past to present.
The narrator declares a universal faith that includes all religious traditions.
“Down-hearted doubters dull and excluded, Frivolous, sullen, moping, angry, affected, dishearten'd, atheistical, I know every one of you, I know the sea of torment, doubt, despair and unbelief.”
To all who are sad, excluded, or skeptical—whether frivolous or angry, atheist or despairing—I understand each of you and the vast ocean of your suffering and doubt.
The narrator acknowledges and includes all doubters and skeptics.
“It cannot fail the young man who died and was buried, Nor the young woman who died and was put by his side, Nor the little child that peep'd in at the door, and then drew back and was never seen again”
The promise holds true for the young man and woman buried together, for the child who briefly appeared and vanished, and for all who have suffered or been forgotten.
The narrator assures that no one, not even the most obscure or tragic, is excluded from the ultimate sufficiency.