# Thick-Sprinkled Bunting explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The chapter envisions the American flag as a symbol of a world-transforming ideal, acknowledging the bloody struggle ahead but asserting its eventual supremacy over all kings' flags, as it marches toward a universal prize.

## Themes in this chapter

### America and Its People

The flag is portrayed as the embodiment of democratic destiny, surpassing old-world monarchies.

## Character check-ins

### America

The flag represents America's destiny and its world-stakes.

### Narrator

The speaker addresses the flag directly, prophesying its ultimate triumph.

## Key lines

> Thick-sprinkled bunting! flag of stars! Long yet your road, fateful flag—long yet your road, and lined with bloody death, For the prize I see at issue at last is the world

O star-spangled banner, your path is still long and marked by violent sacrifice, because the ultimate stake is global dominion.

_Whitman frames the American flag as a symbol of a world-transforming struggle._

> O hasten flag of man—O with sure and steady step, passing highest flags of kings, Walk supreme to the heavens mighty symbol—run up above them all

Hurry, flag of humanity, stride confidently past all royal banners and rise as the supreme emblem in the sky.

_The flag of democracy is called to outshine all monarchical symbols._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/thick-sprinkled-bunting
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters