# The Torch explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

A brief scene on the Northwest coast at night, where a group of fishermen watch as a canoe with a blazing torch at its prow moves across the dark lake, others spearing salmon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Celebration of Nature and the Universe

The nocturnal lake scene and the torch's light evoke the beauty and mystery of the natural world.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

Observes the fishermen and the torch-lit canoe.

## Key lines

> On my Northwest coast in the midst of the night a fishermen’s group stands watching, Out on the lake that expands before them, others are spearing salmon, The canoe, a dim shadowy thing, moves across the black water, Bearing a torch ablaze at the prow.

On the Northwest coast at night, a group of fishermen watches as a canoe with a burning torch at its front glides across the dark lake, where others spear salmon.

_The image of the torch in the darkness highlights human activity and light against the vast night._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/the-torch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters