# To Foreign Lands explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The poet addresses foreign lands, explaining that his poems are sent to define America and her athletic Democracy, fulfilling their request for proof of the New World's puzzle.

## Themes in this chapter

### America and Its People

The poem directly defines America and her athletic Democracy for foreign audiences.

### Democracy and Equality

Athletic Democracy is presented as a core element of the New World's identity.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who sends poems to foreign lands.

### America

The subject being defined through the poems.

### Democracy

Described as athletic, a key attribute of America.

## Key lines

> To Foreign Lands I heard that you ask’d for something to prove this puzzle the New World, And to define America, her athletic Democracy, Therefore I send you my poems that you behold in them what you wanted.

I have heard that you, foreign lands, requested evidence to explain the enigma of the New World and to describe America and her vigorous Democracy. So I send you my poems so that you may see in them exactly what you sought.

_The poet responds to a call from abroad, offering his work as the definitive representation of America's democratic spirit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/to-foreign-lands
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters