Leaves of Grass · Chapter
As I Lay with My Head in Your Lap Camerado explained
The narrator resumes a confession to a dear comrade, acknowledging his restless and dangerous words that unsettle peace and law.
What happens
The narrator resumes a confession to a dear comrade, acknowledging his restless and dangerous words that unsettle peace and law. He declares his resolve strengthened by denial, indifferent to hell or heaven, and admits he urges the comrade onward without knowing their destination or outcome.
Themes in this chapter
Comradeship and Love
The poem is a direct address to a 'camerado', emphasizing deep personal bond and shared journey.
Individuality and Self
The narrator asserts his own restless, defiant individuality against peace, security, and majority opinion.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
Confesses his restless nature and dangerous words, resolute despite denial.
- Comradeship and Love
Addressed as 'camerado', the intimate companion urged onward without certainty.
Key passages
“I know my words are weapons full of danger, full of death, For I confront peace, security, and all the settled laws, to unsettle them”
I recognize that my speech is dangerous and deadly because I challenge peace, safety, and established rules in order to disrupt them.
The narrator acknowledges the subversive power of his words.
“I am more resolute because all have denied me than I could ever have been had all accepted me”
My determination is stronger because everyone has rejected me than it would have been if everyone had approved of me.
Rejection strengthens the narrator's resolve.
“Dear camerado! I confess I have urged you onward with me, and still urge you, without the least idea what is our destination, Or whether we shall be victorious, or utterly quell'd and defeated.”
Dear comrade! I admit that I have pushed you forward with me, and continue to do so, without any knowledge of where we are going or whether we will succeed or be completely crushed and defeated.
The narrator admits to leading his comrade into an uncertain future.