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Analysis Of Bryant's "Thanatopsis" - Term Papers

Analysis Of Bryant's "Thanatopsis"

The poem, “Thanatopsis,” written by William Cullen Bryant, is a
wonderful literary work which explores the often controversial questions of
death. Within his well written lines Bryant attempts to show the
relationship between death's 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.
Throughout the poem Bryant creates images which connect death and
sleep. In fact, once the reader gets halfway through the poem they
discover that Bryant uses these words almost interchangeably. In the
second stanza he writes, “All that tread ...

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using this strange metaphor I believe 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 one's fate after earthly existence. When identifying
sleep with death Bryant gives death many characteristics of slumber.
People generally wake from sleep, and Bryant expands this occurrence to
death. Death could simply be a time of rest that retires the bodies' of
earthly beings, and allows the soul to wake. Upon waking the soul is freed,
and enters a new plane of existence. This idea of a spiritual awakening is
demonstrated in “Thanatopsis.” In lines 50 and 51 Bryant writes, “Take the
wings of morning, pierce the Barcan wilderness.” To ...

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Analysis Of Bryant's "Thanatopsis". (2007, December 9). Retrieved July 12, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Analysis-Of-Bryants-Thanatopsis/75570

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/9/2007 06:31:16 PM
Category: Poetry & Poets
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 570
Pages: 3

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