# Small the Theme of My Chant explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The poet declares that his theme is the individual self, yet the greatest, and sings of the complete human form, both male and female, and the collective 'En-Masse,' acknowledging the recent war and inviting the reader to join him on a journey.

## Themes in this chapter

### Individuality and Self

The theme of 'One's-Self—a simple, separate person' is central, emphasizing the individual as the greatest subject.

### Democracy and Equality

The poet sings 'the Female equally with the Male' and speaks 'the word En-Masse,' reflecting democratic and egalitarian ideals.

### Unity of Soul and Body

The poet insists on singing 'Man's physiology complete' and 'the Form complete,' rejecting a split between body and soul.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who declares the theme of the chant and invites the reader to journey together.

### America

Referenced as 'the New World' for which the song is intended.

## Key lines

> Small the theme of my Chant, yet the greatest⁠—namely, One's-Self⁠—a simple, separate person.

My song's subject may seem small, but it is the greatest: the individual self, a simple and distinct person.

_The poet establishes the paradox of the individual as both humble and supreme._

> The Female equally with the Male, I sing.

I sing of women as equals to men.

_A declaration of gender equality within the poet's vision._

> I speak the word of the modern, the word En-Masse.

I proclaim the modern concept of the collective, the people as a whole.

_The poet balances individualism with a call to unity and democracy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/small-the-theme-of-my-chant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters