Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Turn O Libertad explained
The chapter calls upon Liberty to turn away from the past and its feudal glories, and to face the future where greater triumphs await.
What happens
The chapter calls upon Liberty to turn away from the past and its feudal glories, and to face the future where greater triumphs await. It declares the war over and urges a resolute, forward-looking embrace of the world to come.
Themes in this chapter
Democracy and Equality
The poem rejects kings, slavery, and caste, championing a future of liberty and democratic triumph.
America and Its People
Libertad is called to lead America and the world beyond the past into a new era of freedom.
Characters to notice
- Libertad
Addressed directly as the embodiment of liberty, called to turn from the past to the future.
Key passages
“Turn O Libertad, for the war is over, From it and all henceforth expanding, doubting no more, resolute, sweeping the world”
Turn, O Liberty, because the war has ended; from this point forward, grow without hesitation, determined to move across the world.
The poet commands Liberty to shift focus from past conflicts to future expansion.
“Leave to the singers of hitherto, give them the trailing past, But what remains remains for singers for you—wars to come are for you”
Let the old poets keep the past; what is left is for you, and future struggles belong to you.
The past is abandoned to earlier poets, while Liberty is promised the battles and triumphs ahead.