Leaves of Grass, Osceola summary

What happens

1. As death approaches, Osceola rises from his floor bed and puts on his war clothing.
2. He asks for vermilion paint and applies it while someone holds a mirror before him.
3. He places a scalp knife in his belt, lies down briefly, then rises into a partly seated position.
4. He smiles and silently extends his hand to everyone present.
5. He sinks to the floor holding his tomahawk tightly and fixes his final gaze on his wife and children.
6. The speaker closes by remembering his name and death.

In this chapter

What to notice

The closing line makes remembrance an explicit purpose of the poem. It shifts attention from the dying man's actions to preserving his memory.

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