# To Soar in Freedom and in Fullness of Power explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The speaker declares a preference for the wild, soaring flight of hawks and seagulls over the sweet, confined singing of canaries and mockingbirds, asserting a desire for freedom, power, joy, and volition rather than mere melodiousness.

## Themes in this chapter

### Individuality and Self

The speaker asserts a personal, autonomous choice to embrace wild freedom over conventional sweetness.

### Celebration of Nature and the Universe

The hawk and seagull are celebrated as embodiments of natural freedom and power.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker expresses personal preference for wild freedom over tame sweetness.

## Key lines

> I have not so much emulated the birds that musically sing, I have abandon’d myself to flights, broad circles.

I have not tried to imitate songbirds; instead, I have given myself over to soaring in wide arcs.

_The speaker contrasts imitation of sweet song with surrender to expansive flight._

> The hawk, the seagull, have far more possess’d me than the canary or mocking-bird.

I am more deeply moved by hawks and seagulls than by canaries or mockingbirds.

_Wild birds of prey and sea birds inspire the speaker more than domesticated songbirds._

> I have not felt to warble and trill, however sweetly, I have felt to soar in freedom and in the fullness of power, joy, volition.

I have not felt the urge to sing sweetly; instead, I have felt the urge to fly freely with complete power, joy, and will.

_The speaker prioritizes the experience of freedom and power over sweet, confined expression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/to-soar-in-freedom-and-in-fullness-of-power
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters