ThanatopsisThanatopsis

By William Cullen BryantBy William Cullen Bryant

Thanatopsis: Literary Focus: Thanatopsis: Literary Focus: ThemeTheme

The theme of a poem is what the poet is saying The theme of a poem is what the poet is saying about life.about life.

Usually poets do not state their themes directly.Usually poets do not state their themes directly.– Instead, you have to think about what all the words, Instead, you have to think about what all the words,

images, and figures of speech say to you.images, and figures of speech say to you.– The subject of “Thanatopsis” is what happens to people The subject of “Thanatopsis” is what happens to people

when they die.when they die.– What the poem says about this subject is its theme.What the poem says about this subject is its theme.

Thanatopsis: Reading Skill: Inverted Thanatopsis: Reading Skill: Inverted SentencesSentences

William Cullen Bryant often makes use of William Cullen Bryant often makes use of inversion, inversion, a rearrangement of the usual word a rearrangement of the usual word order in sentences.order in sentences.

The usual order of words in Standard English The usual order of words in Standard English sentences is sentences is subject, then verb, and then subject, then verb, and then object: object: Reika kicked the ball.Reika kicked the ball.

An inverted order might be: An inverted order might be: The ball Reika kicked.The ball Reika kicked. If you have trouble understanding sentences in the If you have trouble understanding sentences in the

poem, try rearranging the words.poem, try rearranging the words.

William Cullen BryantWilliam Cullen Bryant

William Cullen Bryant was a Romantic Poet.William Cullen Bryant was a Romantic Poet. In his time that title did not refer to a person who writes In his time that title did not refer to a person who writes

poetry about love.poetry about love.– Instead, it referred to a poet who shows an emotional response to Instead, it referred to a poet who shows an emotional response to

life.life.– Romantic poets placed feelings above thought.Romantic poets placed feelings above thought.– They valued poetry and rural life above science and the city life.They valued poetry and rural life above science and the city life.– They believed that studying nature outdoors could bring as much They believed that studying nature outdoors could bring as much

truth to humans as doing scientific experiments.truth to humans as doing scientific experiments.– ““Thanatopsis” is a nature poem in which Bryant presents his view Thanatopsis” is a nature poem in which Bryant presents his view

(opsis, in Greek) of death (thanatos).(opsis, in Greek) of death (thanatos).

Thanatopsis: Poetic FormThanatopsis: Poetic Form

The poetic form that Bryant uses for The poetic form that Bryant uses for “Thanatopsis” is“Thanatopsis” is blank verse. blank verse.

If you look at the lines of the poem, you will If you look at the lines of the poem, you will see that the lines do not rhyme.see that the lines do not rhyme.

Most lines have the same number of Most lines have the same number of syllables and a regular rhythm.syllables and a regular rhythm.

Thanatopsis: Into the PoemThanatopsis: Into the Poem

William Cullen Bryant was in his late teens when William Cullen Bryant was in his late teens when he wrote his first draft of “Thanatopsis.”he wrote his first draft of “Thanatopsis.”

He was looking for answers to how to accept He was looking for answers to how to accept death.death.

He finds his answers in nature.He finds his answers in nature. He observes that when we die, we become a part He observes that when we die, we become a part

of nature, along with everyone else who has of nature, along with everyone else who has already died and everyone who will die.already died and everyone who will die.