Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Me Imperturbe explained
The speaker declares an imperturbable, self-balanced stance in nature, embracing all roles and places with passive, receptive calm, confronting life's contingencies as naturally as trees and animals.
What happens
The speaker declares an imperturbable, self-balanced stance in nature, embracing all roles and places with passive, receptive calm, confronting life's contingencies as naturally as trees and animals.
Themes in this chapter
Individuality and Self
The speaker's declaration of imperturbable self-balance and mastery over circumstances.
Celebration of Nature and the Universe
The speaker stands at ease in Nature, imbued with its passive, receptive qualities.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Me imperturbe, standing at ease in Nature, Master of all or mistress of all, aplomb in the midst of irrational things”
I remain unshaken, calmly poised in nature, commanding yet yielding, balanced amid chaos.
The speaker's core assertion of imperturbable mastery and composure.
“Me wherever my life is lived, O to be self-balanced for contingencies, To confront night, storms, hunger, ridicule, accidents, rebuffs, as the trees and animals do.”
Wherever I live, I wish to be balanced for any challenge, facing hardship as naturally as trees and animals.
The desire for a resilient, natural equanimity in all circumstances.