Leaves of Grass · Chapter
To a Common Prostitute explained
Walt Whitman addresses a prostitute with acceptance and equality, asserting his own liberal and natural character.
What happens
Walt Whitman addresses a prostitute with acceptance and equality, asserting his own liberal and natural character. He promises not to exclude her until the natural world itself excludes her, and appoints a future meeting for which she must prepare. The poem is a radical affirmation of dignity and comradeship across social boundaries.
Themes in this chapter
Comradeship and Love
Whitman extends comradeship and love to a prostitute, breaking social barriers with a promise of future meeting.
Democracy and Equality
The poem asserts radical equality: the speaker will not exclude her until the sun and waters do, embodying democratic inclusion.
Characters to notice
- Walt Whitman
Speaker who declares himself 'liberal and lusty as Nature' and offers unconditional acceptance.
- Narrator
The voice that appoints an appointment and charges the prostitute to be worthy to meet him.
Key passages
“Be composed—be at ease with me—I am Walt Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature”
Calm down and feel comfortable with me; I am Walt Whitman, free-spirited and full of life like nature itself.
Whitman introduces himself as a natural, unrestrained figure to put the prostitute at ease.
“Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you”
I will only reject you when the sun itself rejects you.
Whitman uses cosmic imagery to promise unconditional acceptance.
“My girl I appoint with you an appointment, and I charge you that you make preparation to be worthy to meet me”
I set a meeting with you, my girl, and I insist that you prepare yourself to be worthy of that meeting.
Whitman elevates the encounter to a sacred appointment, demanding mutual respect and readiness.