'Thanatopsis' by William Cullen Bryant


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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 forever 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 mold.

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 glides away, the sons of men--
The youth in life's fresh 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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into the World of Death and Nature in Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant

When most people hear the word "Thanatopsis," they probably think of death and mourning. And while there's certainly an element of that within William Cullen Bryant's famous poem, there's so much more going on beneath the surface. This work of literature is a deep dive into the relationship between humanity and nature, and how our mortality fits into the grand scheme of things.

Brief Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth discussing a bit about William Cullen Bryant himself. Born in 1794, Bryant was an American poet, journalist, and politician. He was a self-taught writer who published his first poem at the age of 13, and went on to become one of the most respected literary figures of his time. Thanatopsis, which was first published in 1817 when Bryant was just 23 years old, is considered one of his most famous works.

The Poem

Thanatopsis is a long, contemplative poem that explores humanity's relationship with nature and death. It's divided into multiple sections, each of which delves deeper into the subject matter at hand. Here, we'll take a closer look at some of the most significant lines and stanzas, and what they can teach us about life and death.

Part I

"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."

Right away, we're introduced to the idea of nature as a mother figure, one who is capable of both joy and healing. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which will explore the many facets of humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Part II

"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, and the Barcan desert pierce,
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."

This stanza is where the poem really starts to delve into the subject of death. Here, we're reminded that all of humanity will eventually end up in the same place: the earth. But rather than painting this as a bleak or frightening concept, Bryant instead celebrates the idea of communal resting places. The fact that we will all be laid to rest in the same great tomb is a comforting thought, one that connects us to the generations that have come before us.

Part III

"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."

This stanza is perhaps the most famous in the entire poem, and for good reason. Here, Bryant offers a bit of advice for how to approach death. Rather than fearing or dreading it, we should aim to embrace it with grace and acceptance. By living a life of purpose and meaning, we can approach our final resting place with a sense of peace and contentment.

Part IV

"There is a Power whose care
Teaches thy way along that pathless coast,—
The desert and illimitable air,—
Lone wandering, but not lost."

In this stanza, Bryant touches on the idea of a higher power guiding us through life. This is a common theme in many works of literature, but here it's presented in a way that's both comforting and empowering. Even when we're wandering alone through the vast unknown, we're never truly lost as long as we have faith in something greater than ourselves.

Part V

"So when the summer calleth forth the flowers
Before the children walk two and two,
Through snow-white plats of picked blossoms, and green
Fields that before thee run
Thou wanderest forth without thy cloak or vest,
And greet the unseen with a cheer."

This final stanza is a beautiful one, filled with imagery of springtime and renewal. It's a reminder that even in the face of death, life goes on. We may leave this world behind, but the cycles of nature will continue on without us. It's a comforting and hopeful thought, and one that helps to balance out the darker themes of the rest of the poem.

Interpretation

So what can we take away from Thanatopsis? At its core, this poem is a meditation on mortality and the human condition. It's a reminder that we're all just passing through this world, and that our time here is limited. But rather than being a depressing thought, this realization can be a source of comfort and inspiration. By embracing our connection to nature and finding meaning in our lives, we can approach death with a sense of peace and acceptance.

Bryant's use of language and imagery is masterful throughout the poem, painting a vivid picture of the natural world and our place within it. From the "pensive quietness" of the valleys to the "gray and melancholy waste" of the ocean, every detail is carefully crafted to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Even the concept of death itself is given a kind of majesty, as we're reminded of our connection to the generations that have come before us.

Ultimately, Thanatopsis is a work of great depth and beauty, one that invites readers to contemplate their own mortality and find meaning in the natural world around them. It's a timeless piece of literature that still resonates today, nearly two hundred years after its initial publication. Whether you're looking for comfort in the face of death or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the world around you, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Thanatopsis: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance

William Cullen Bryant’s Thanatopsis is a timeless classic that explores the themes of death, nature, and the human experience. Written in 1817, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of Thanatopsis, examining its structure, language, and themes.

Structure

Thanatopsis is a poem of 82 lines, divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the tone and introduces the theme of death. The second stanza explores the idea of death as a natural process, while the third stanza offers a message of hope and acceptance. The poem is written in blank verse, with no rhyme scheme, allowing the language to flow naturally and giving the poem a sense of organic unity.

Language

Bryant’s language in Thanatopsis is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. The poem opens with the line, “To him who in the love of Nature holds / Communion with her visible forms,” setting the stage for the poem’s exploration of the relationship between nature and death. Throughout the poem, Bryant uses imagery of nature to convey the idea that death is a natural part of the cycle of life. He describes death as a “mighty Being” who “holds dominion over all,” and compares it to the “stillness” of the forest and the “calm decay” of the autumn leaves.

Themes

Thanatopsis explores several themes, including the inevitability of death, the role of nature in the human experience, and the importance of acceptance and reflection. The poem begins with the idea that death is a universal experience, something that all humans must face. Bryant writes, “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,” emphasizing the idea that death is not something to be feared, but rather a natural part of life.

Throughout the poem, Bryant uses nature as a metaphor for the human experience. He writes, “All that breathe / Will share thy destiny,” suggesting that humans are no different from the natural world around them. He also describes death as a “universal cause” that brings all living things together in a shared experience. By connecting death to nature, Bryant suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life.

Finally, Thanatopsis offers a message of hope and acceptance. Bryant writes, “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.” This message suggests that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a natural part of the human experience. By accepting death as a natural part of life, we can find peace and comfort in the knowledge that we are all part of a larger cycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Thanatopsis is a powerful and timeless poem that explores the themes of death, nature, and the human experience. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Bryant suggests that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that by accepting it, we can find peace and comfort in the knowledge that we are all part of a larger whole. Thanatopsis is a poem that speaks to the human experience, reminding us of our connection to the natural world and the inevitability of our own mortality.

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