Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Outlines for a Tomb explained
The poet reflects on the life of a wealthy man buried in a tomb, acknowledging that his life was spent in commerce rather than heroism.
What happens
The poet reflects on the life of a wealthy man buried in a tomb, acknowledging that his life was spent in commerce rather than heroism. The soul then envisions a series of ideal, domestic, and laboring scenes—homes, births, meals, schools, and gatherings—that the man's wealth enabled, presenting a vision of a harmonious society where needs are met. The poem concludes by linking the man's name to the land and rivers of America, suggesting his legacy is as vast as the earth itself.
Themes in this chapter
America and Its People
The poem celebrates the everyday lives of American laborers, families, and communities, and ties the deceased's name to the nation's rivers and landscapes.
Death and Immortality
The tomb and the memory of the deceased are central; the poet seeks to immortalize the man through the enduring images of the life he enabled.
Comradeship and Love
The visions include peaceful families, friendly journeymen, and gatherings of young people, emphasizing bonds of affection and community.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“What may we chant, O thou within this tomb? What tablets, outlines, hang for thee, O millionaire?”
What songs or memorials can we offer for you, the wealthy man buried here?
The poet opens by questioning how to honor a man known for commerce, not heroism.
“In one, among the city streets a laborer's home appear'd, After his day's work done, cleanly, sweet-air'd, the gaslight burning, The carpet swept and a fire in the cheerful stove.”
One vision showed a worker's tidy home after a day's labor, with gaslight and a warm fire.
The poet imagines a domestic scene of comfort and order, enabled by the deceased's wealth.
“Thy name an earth, with mountains, fields and tides.”
Your name is as vast as the earth itself, encompassing mountains, fields, and tides.
The poet elevates the man's legacy to the scale of the natural world.