Leaves of Grass, Part 57 summary
Part 57 of 358 · Book 5: Calamus · 1 min to read the part
In Behold This Swarthy Face, the speaker describes his dark face, gray eyes, untrimmed white neck hair, brown hands, and quiet manner before describing affectionate kisses exchanged with a Manhattanite. Their greeting presents the two as American comrades who express mutual love naturally and without self-consciousness.
What happens
- The speaker draws attention to his face, eyes, beard, hands, and quiet, unappealing manner.
- A Manhattanite comes and lightly kisses the speaker on the lips whenever they part.
- The speaker returns a kiss at a street crossing or aboard a ship.
- He describes their shared greeting as an expression of American comradeship and their lack of self-consciousness.
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In this part
What to notice
The closing line defines their affection as natural and free from self-consciousness. It explains how the speaker understands their shared greeting.
Quick check
What does the speaker give the Manhattanite in return?
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