Leaves of Grass, Part 20 summary
Part 20 of 358 · Book 1: Inscriptions · 1 min to read the part
In Still, Though the One I Sing, the speaker dedicates the individual he celebrates to the nation while preserving that person's contradictions and capacity for rebellion. The dedication does not erase resistance; the speaker presents insurrection as a necessary fire that cannot be extinguished.
What happens
- The speaker identifies the subject of his song as one individual.
- He acknowledges the individual's contradictions and dedicates him to the nation.
- He preserves rebellion within the individual and celebrates the right to insurrection.
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In this part
What to notice
The dedication preserves rather than suppresses resistance. The fire image makes the right to rebel seem both enduring and necessary.
Quick check
What does the speaker explicitly leave within the individual?
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