# Old Age’s Ship & Crafty Death’s explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The chapter presents a metaphorical sea race between the ship of old age and the ship of death, embracing a final contest of joy and defiance as the speaker sets sail into the deepest, freest waters.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Immortality

The chapter directly confronts death as a crafty vessel, yet frames the encounter as a lively race and battle-contest, suggesting a defiant embrace of mortality.

### Individuality and Self

The speaker's call to 'put on the old ship all her power' and 'take to the deepest, freest waters' underscores a personal assertion of will and freedom in the face of life's end.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who challenges the approaching ships of old age and death, embracing the final race.

### Death

Personified as 'Crafty Death,' one of the two masterful vessels sailing upon the horizon.

## Key lines

> Two mighty masterful vessels sailers steal upon us: But we’ll make race a-time upon the seas⁠—a battle-contest yet! bear lively there!

Two powerful ships approach us from the horizon, but we will still race them across the seas, turning it into a lively battle and contest.

_The speaker transforms the approach of old age and death into an opportunity for a spirited competition._

> Put on the old ship all her power to-day! Crowd top-sail, top-gallant and royal studding-sails, Out challenge and defiance⁠—flags and flaunting pennants added, As we take to the open⁠—take to the deepest, freest waters.

Give the old ship all its power today! Hoist every sail, display flags and pennants of challenge and defiance, as we sail into the open, deepest, and freest waters.

_The speaker commands a full display of strength and defiance, embracing the final voyage with vigor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/old-age-s-ship-crafty-death-s
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters