# We Two, How Long We Were Fool’d explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## What happens

The chapter celebrates the transformation and liberation of two beings who, having been deceived, now embrace their true nature as part of the natural world. They become one with plants, animals, elements, and celestial bodies, ultimately finding freedom and joy in their union with each other and the universe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Unity of Soul and Body

The poem depicts the merging of two beings into a single, unified existence with nature, transcending physical and spiritual boundaries.

### Celebration of Nature and the Universe

The chapter is a vivid celebration of the natural world, with the speakers becoming plants, animals, celestial bodies, and elements.

## Character check-ins

### Narrator

The speaker who, along with a companion, undergoes a profound transformation into various natural forms.

### Walt Whitman

Implied as the poet behind the voice, expressing themes of unity with nature and the self.

## Key lines

> We two, how long we were fool’d, Now transmuted, we swiftly escape as Nature escapes, We are Nature, long have we been absent, but now we return

We two were deceived for a long time, but now we have changed and escape like nature does. We are nature itself, having been away for a while, but now we come back.

_The speaker announces a transformation from deception to a return to natural essence._

> We have circled and circled till we have arrived home again, we two, We have voided all but freedom and all but our own joy.

We have wandered in circles until we finally came back home, just the two of us. We have gotten rid of everything except freedom and our own happiness.

_The conclusion emphasizes a journey of return and the ultimate embrace of freedom and joy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/we-two-how-long-we-were-fool-d
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters