Introduction: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
“Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant, first appeared in 1817 in the North American Review, was published anonymously. It comprises mature reflections on death and the natural cycle of life were remarkable, given that Bryant was only in his early twenties when he penned it. The poem’s blank verse style, reminiscent of Shakespeare and Milton, lends it a stately and contemplative tone. “Thanatopsis” is celebrated for its evocative imagery of nature, comforting view of death as a return to the earth, and philosophical musings on the shared destiny of humankind.
Text: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
To him who in the love of Nature holds
Communion with her visible forms, she speaks
A various language; for his gayer hours
She has a voice of gladness, and a smile
And eloquence of beauty, and she glides
Into his darker musings, with a mild
And healing sympathy, that steals away
Their sharpness, ere he is aware. 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 forth, under the open sky, and list
To Nature’s teachings, while from all around—
Earth and her waters, and the depths of air—
Comes a still voice—
Yet a few days, and thee
The all-beholding sun shall see no more
In all his course; nor yet in the cold ground,
Where thy pale form was laid, with many tears,
Nor in the embrace of ocean, shall exist
Thy image. Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim
Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again,
And, lost each human trace, surrendering up
Thine individual being, shalt thou go
To mix for ever with the elements,
To be a brother to the insensible rock
And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain
Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oak
Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mould.
Yet not to thine eternal resting-place
Shalt thou retire alone, nor couldst thou wish
Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down
With patriarchs of the infant world—with kings,
The powerful of the earth—the wise, the good,
Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,
All in one mighty sepulchre. The hills
Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun,—the vales
Stretching in pensive quietness between;
The venerable woods—rivers that move
In majesty, and the complaining brooks
That make the meadows green; and, poured round all,
Old Ocean’s gray and melancholy waste,—
Are but the solemn decorations all
Of the great tomb of man. The golden sun,
The planets, all the infinite host of heaven,
Are shining on the sad abodes of death,
Through the still lapse of ages. All that tread
The globe are but a handful to the tribes
That slumber in its bosom.—Take the wings
Of morning, pierce the Barcan wilderness,
Or lose thyself in the continuous woods
Where rolls the Oregon, and hears no sound,
Save his own dashings—yet the dead are there:
And millions in those solitudes, since first
The flight of years began, have laid them down
In their last sleep—the dead reign there alone.
So shalt thou rest, and what if thou withdraw
In silence from the living, and no friend
Take note of thy departure? All that breathe
Will share thy destiny. The gay will laugh
When thou art gone, the solemn brood of care
Plod on, and each one as before will chase
His favorite phantom; yet all these shall leave
Their mirth and their employments, and shall come
And make their bed with thee. As the long train
Of ages glide away, the sons of men,
The youth in life’s green spring, and he who goes
In the full strength of years, matron and maid,
The speechless babe, and the gray-headed man—
Shall one by one be gathered to thy side,
By those, who in their turn shall follow them.
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Annotations: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
| Stanza | Annotation |
| 1 | The stanza emphasizes how Nature communicates with those who appreciate it, offering different experiences: joy in happier times, solace and healing in darker moments. Bryant portrays Nature as having an “eloquence of beauty” that can soothe and uplift. |
| 2 | Reflects on mortality (“the last bitter hour”) and the fear of death (“sad images…make thee shudder”). It suggests that when facing these fears, one should go into nature to find comfort and wisdom in its teachings, represented by “a still voice” from Earth, water, and air. |
| 3 | Describes the inevitable return to the earth after death (“Earth that nourished thee, shall claim thy growth”), likening humans to natural elements that eventually return to the earth. Imagery of trees (“The oak shall send his roots abroad”) symbolizes this cycle of life and death. |
| 4 | Explores the universality of death, stating that all people, regardless of their status or achievements, will share the same fate of returning to the earth and becoming part of it. It imagines a grand tomb where everyone, from ancient kings to ordinary people, rests together. |
| 5 | Encourages acceptance of death as a natural part of life’s journey. It contrasts a peaceful approach to death (“approach thy grave, Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams”) with the fear and suffering often associated with it. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
| Literary/Poetic Device | Example from “Thanatopsis” | Explanation | Function in the Poem |
| Alliteration | “breathless darkness” | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words | Creates rhythm and emphasizes the finality of death |
| Anaphora | “Nor in the cold ground…Nor in the embrace of ocean” | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses | Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of death and decay |
| Assonance | “The pale form was laid, with many tears” | Repetition of vowel sounds within words | Creates a melancholic tone and musicality |
| Blank Verse | The entire poem | Unrhymed iambic pentameter (5 pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables) | Establishes a formal, dignified, and meditative tone |
| Caesura | “Comes a still voice— Yet a few days, and thee” | A pause in the middle of a line | Creates a dramatic pause and builds anticipation |
| Consonance | “To mix for ever with the elements” | Repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words | Creates a sense of unity and interconnectedness with nature |
| Diction | “Stern agony,” “hoary seers” | Word choice | Establishes the poem’s elevated and contemplative tone |
| Enjambment | “Go forth, under the open sky, and list / To Nature’s teachings…” | Continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line | Creates a sense of flow and continuity |
| Imagery | “Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun” | Vivid descriptive language that appeals to the senses | Creates a majestic and awe-inspiring picture of nature |
| Metaphor | “The great tomb of man” | Comparison of two unlike things without using “like” or “as” | Emphasizes the inevitability and universality of death |
| Metonymy | “The oak / Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mould.” | Substitution of a related term for the thing meant | Reinforces the idea of returning to the earth |
| Oxymoron | “Last bitter hour” | Combination of contradictory terms | Highlights the conflicting emotions surrounding death |
| Personification | “Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim / Thy growth…” | Giving human qualities to inanimate objects | Emphasizes the cyclical relationship between life and death |
| Repetition | “The dead reign there alone” | Repeating words or phrases for emphasis | Underscores the power and pervasiveness of death |
| Rhetorical Question | “Yet not to thine eternal resting place / Shalt thou retire alone…?” | A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer | Invites reflection and contemplation |
| Simile | “Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch” | Comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as” | Creates a peaceful and comforting image of death |
| Symbolism | “The golden sun,” “the planets” | Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities | Represents the eternal cycle of life and death |
| Tone | Contemplative, accepting | The author’s attitude towards the subject | Creates a mood of reflection and acceptance |
Themes: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
- Unity with Nature: Bryant’s poem emphasizes the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. Throughout “Thanatopsis,” nature is portrayed as a nurturing force that communicates with humans in moments of both joy and sorrow. In stanza 1, Bryant speaks of nature’s “various language” and “voice of gladness,” suggesting that it offers solace and healing to those who commune with it. This theme underscores the idea that nature is not just a backdrop but a spiritual and emotional companion, guiding individuals through life’s inevitable challenges.
- Mortality and the Cycle of Life: Central to Bryant’s contemplation is the theme of mortality and the natural cycle of life and death. Stanza 3 vividly depicts the return of all living beings to the earth after death, symbolizing the continuity of life. Bryant portrays death not as an end but as a natural part of the eternal cycle of nature, where all individuals eventually merge with the earth and contribute to its ongoing process of renewal.
- The Universality of Death: Bryant explores the idea that death is a universal experience that transcends individual differences. Stanza 4 underscores this by describing how people of all backgrounds, from kings to common folk, share the same fate of becoming part of the earth. This theme highlights the equality in death, suggesting that regardless of one’s achievements or status in life, all are ultimately united in their return to the natural world.
- Acceptance of Mortality: Finally, “Thanatopsis” encourages readers to approach death with acceptance and tranquility. In stanza 5, Bryant advises living a life that prepares one to face death peacefully, contrasting this serene approach with the fear and turmoil often associated with mortality. This theme urges individuals to embrace the inevitability of death as a natural part of existence, trusting in the continuity of nature to provide solace and comfort in the face of life’s final journey.
Literary Theories and “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
- Romantic Theory: “Thanatopsis” deeply resonates with Romantic ideals, particularly in its exaltation of nature. The opening lines, “To him who in the love of Nature holds / Communion with her visible forms, she speaks,” establish nature as a guiding force and a source of solace. This connection is further emphasized when the speaker encourages those burdened by thoughts of death to “Go forth, under the open sky, and list / To Nature’s teachings.” The Romantic notion of the sublime is evident in descriptions of the “hills / Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun,” evoking a sense of awe and insignificance in the face of nature’s grandeur. Moreover, “Old Ocean’s gray and melancholy waste” serves as a mirror to human emotions, reflecting the speaker’s contemplation of mortality.
- Ecocriticism: An ecocritical lens reveals “Thanatopsis” as a meditation on the interconnectedness of human life and the natural world. The poem underscores the cyclical nature of existence, with lines like “Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim / Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again,” emphasizing the return of all living things to the earth. Bryant blurs the boundaries between humans and nature, suggesting a kinship even with “the insensible rock / And to the sluggish clod,” thus promoting an ecological consciousness that values all forms of life. The imagery of the “oak / Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mould” illustrates the natural processes of decay and regeneration, highlighting nature’s ability to reclaim and transform.
- Psychoanalytic Theory: “Thanatopsis” can be interpreted through a psychoanalytic lens as an exploration of death anxiety. The poem opens with a recognition of the “thoughts / Of the last bitter hour,” acknowledging the fear and sadness that accompany contemplations of mortality. The speaker’s vivid descriptions of “stern agony, and shroud, and pall” may evoke repressed anxieties related to death and dying. The subsequent turn to nature could be seen as a coping mechanism, an attempt to find comfort and acceptance in the face of these fears. Ultimately, the poem’s concluding lines, “Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch / About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams,” suggest a resolution of this anxiety, envisioning death as a peaceful return to a state of unconsciousness akin to sleep.
Critical Questions about “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
- How does Bryant portray the relationship between humanity and nature?
- Throughout “Thanatopsis,” Bryant presents nature as a comforting and wise entity that speaks to humans in moments of joy and sorrow. In stanza 1, he describes nature’s ability to offer solace and healing, noting its “voice of gladness” and “eloquence of beauty” that can uplift and soothe individuals. This portrayal suggests a deep spiritual and emotional connection between humans and the natural world, where nature serves not only as a backdrop but as a profound source of guidance and companionship in life’s journey.
- What is Bryant’s view on mortality and the cycle of life?
- Central to Bryant’s contemplation is the theme of mortality and the natural cycle of life and death. Stanza 3 vividly depicts the inevitable return of all living beings to the earth after death, emphasizing the continuity and cyclical nature of life. Bryant portrays death as an integral part of the eternal cycle of nature, where all individuals eventually merge with the earth and contribute to its ongoing process of renewal. This perspective invites readers to consider death not as an end but as a natural transition within the broader context of existence.
- How does Bryant explore the universality of death?
- Bryant addresses the universality of death by highlighting that it is a common experience that transcends individual differences. In stanza 4, he describes how people of all backgrounds, from powerful rulers to ordinary individuals, ultimately share the same fate of returning to the earth. This egalitarian view of death underscores the idea that regardless of one’s status or achievements in life, all are united in their mortality and interconnected within the larger framework of nature’s grand design.
- What is Bryant’s advice regarding acceptance of mortality?
- “Thanatopsis” encourages readers to approach death with acceptance and tranquility. In stanza 5, Bryant advises living a life that prepares one to face death peacefully, contrasting this serene approach with the fear and turmoil often associated with mortality. He suggests that embracing death as a natural part of existence, trusting in the continuity of nature to provide solace and comfort, can lead to a more profound understanding and acceptance of life’s ultimate journey. This advice encourages readers to contemplate their mortality with a sense of calmness and resignation, viewing death not as a fearful end but as an inevitable part of the larger cosmic order.
Literary Works Similar to “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
- “Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth: This poem reflects on nature’s ability to provide solace and spiritual renewal, similar to Bryant’s emphasis on nature’s comforting presence.
- “To Autumn” by John Keats: Keats’ poem celebrates the beauty and transience of autumn, echoing Bryant’s contemplation on the cycle of life and the inevitability of change.
- “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” by Walt Whitman: Whitman’s elegy for Abraham Lincoln uses nature imagery to reflect on death, mourning, and the continuity of life, resonating with Bryant’s themes of mortality and the natural world.
- “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” by Walt Whitman: This poem explores the connection between the living and the dead through the passage of time and the shared experience of existence, similar to Bryant’s philosophical reflections on life and death.
- “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats: Keats’ ode delves into the themes of mortality, transience, and the desire for escape, reflecting a similar philosophical depth as Bryant’s exploration of life’s impermanence and the role of nature in understanding it.
Suggested Readings: “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
- McLean, Albert F. William Cullen Bryant. Twayne Publishers, 1964.
- McFarland, Thomas. Romanticism and the Forms of Ruin: Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Modalities of Fragmentation. Oxford University Press, 1981.
- Bryant, William Cullen. “Thanatopsis.” North American Review, vol. 5, no. 14, Sept. 1817, pp. 338–341. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25109901.
- Blanck, Jacob. “The First Printing of Bryant’s ‘Thanatopsis’.” Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, vol. 45, no. 4, 1951, pp. 361–364. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/24299125.
- “Thanatopsis: William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878).” Paul Reuben’s Website, paulreuben.website/pal/chap3/bryant.html.
Representative Quotations of “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant
| Quotation | Context and Theoretical Perspective |
| “To him who in the love of Nature holds / Communion with her visible forms, she speaks…” | Romantic: Nature as a source of solace and wisdom, offering a spiritual connection to those who seek it. |
| “Earth, that nourished thee, shall claim / Thy growth, to be resolved to earth again…” | Ecocritical: Emphasizes the cyclical relationship between humans and the natural world, with death as a return to the earth and a continuation of the natural cycle. |
| “When thoughts / Of the last bitter hour come like a blight / Over thy spirit…” | Psychoanalytic: Acknowledges the anxieties and fears associated with death, highlighting the psychological impact of confronting mortality. |
| “So live, that when thy summons comes to join / The innumerable caravan, which moves…” | Existential: Encourages a life lived fully and without fear of death, acknowledging the inevitability of mortality but emphasizing the importance of living authentically in the face of it. |
| “Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch / About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.” | Romantic/Psychoanalytic: Offers a comforting image of death as a peaceful sleep, similar to the Romantic idealization of death, while potentially addressing a subconscious desire for rest and escape. |