Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Essay - 1222 Words

Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant The poem, Thanatopsis, written by William Cullen Bryant, is a wonderful literary work which explores the often controversial questions of death. William Cullen Bryant wrote Thanatopsis when he was seventeen years of age. Thanatopsis was written in blank verse. Within his well written lines Bryant attempts to show the relationship between deaths eternal questions and the ongoing cycle of nature and life. Upon concluding the poem many readers are able to reaffirm their faith of an afterlife, while others are left aimlessly pondering this strange possibility.He uses strong words to describe the feelings and visions one sees when they are in their last hours and even†¦show more content†¦By using this strange metaphor Bryant wishes to suggest his faith in an afterlife. While examining the differences and similarities of death and sleep the reader is left with some very thought provoking questions. The answers to these questions reassure some readers while confusing others. Sleep is a time of rest. It allows preparation for the next day or event, and by relating this definition to death Bryant gives new insight on ones fate after earthly existence. When thoughts of the last bitter hour come like a blight over thy spirit, and sad images of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall, and breathless darkness, and the narrow house, make thee to shudder, and grow sick at heart- Go under the open sky, and list to Natures teachings, while from all around- Earth and her waters, and the depths of air- comes a still voice. Bryant is taking what can be considered the stereotype of what death and dying feels like and putting it in some strong words. He continues to say, as he does in the rest of the poem, that ones eternal resting place could never have been thought of as such a wonderful place that one could love so much. In a way he describes it to be a huge couch which when you lay down upon it you just melt in and never feel like getting up, by saying nor couldst thou wish couch moreShow MoreRelatedEssay on Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant842 Words   |  4 Pages The poem â€Å"Thanatopsis† by William Cullen Bryant reveals a very unusual aspect of nature. While most people think of nature as beauty and full of life, Bryant takes a more interesting approach to nature. He exposes a correlation between nature, life, death, and re-birth. Using nature as a foothold, Bryant exercises methods such as tone, setting, and imagery in a very intriguing way while writing â€Å"Thanatopsis.† First, tone is a very important aspect of the poem â€Å"Thanatopsis.† While reading the poemRead MoreDeath in Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant Essay447 Words   |  2 PagesDeath in Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant When people ponder death they wonder about the unknown with trepidation. 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[Preview] In the pieces â€Å"Rip Van Winkle† by Washington Irving, â€Å"Thanatopsis† by William Cullen Bryant, and â€Å"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow† by Washington Irving all show strong relations to the traits of Romantic writing. These characteristics include strong imagination, strong feelings, inspiration from folklore and myths, and the divineRead MoreLiterary Analysis Of Freedom Of Speech1325 Words   |  6 Pagesoutspoken that they founded a nation on the freedom to believe whatever you want to believe. Most Americans still exhibit this characteristic today. As shown in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by the Reverend Jonathan Edwards, â€Å"Thanatopsis† by William Cullen Bryant, and What is an American? by J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur, Americans are not afraid to share their ideas, no matter what they are.   Ã‚  Ã‚   As an American, Jonathan Edwards felt as though he had the right to express his thoughts when heRead MoreAnalysis Of William Cullen Bryants Thanatopsis979 Words   |  4 Pagesnothing at all. This is true for writers, poets and artists. William Cullen Bryant’s â€Å"Thanatopsis†, Kansas’ â€Å"Dust in the Wind† and Blue Oyster Cult’s â€Å"Don’t Fear the Reaper† they all center their idea death, but approach it differently and conveys their points differently. One glorifies death, one says life is meaningless and the other glorifies life. These three poems center around death, but have very different points in each one. In â€Å"Thanatopsis†, it glorifies death in such a way, convincing the readers