“Thanatopsis” Thantos (Greek)= Death Opsis (Greek)= Seeing Thanatopsis= Looking at death-a way of viewing it

Romanticism + Thanatopsis Draws moral lessons from nature (Popular at the time) Bryant—speaking of Nature Reverence for Nature is an element of Romanticism *Reverence – profound respect for love/nature

Lines 1-8 Who is “she”….”she speaks a various language;” Who is speaking? Identify tone shift in last line What type of figurative language is being used??

Understanding Lines 1-8 Who is “she”….”she speaks a various language;” “She” = NATURE Who is speaking? Narrator/Speaker Tone shift: “Their sharpness, ever he is aware. When thoughts…. (to somber) What type of figurative language is being used?? Personification….Nature is speaking in various ways to those who love her

Lines 8-17; Last bitter hour? “thoughts”????? Blight = ?? What do the images in lines 11-13 refer to? What is the tone? What does the speaker suggest we do when we have these thoughts?

Last bitter hour= Final hour of life “thoughts”????? Blight = ?? Impair, destroy What do the images in lines 11-13 refer to? Death is a sickening thought What is the tone? Sad and somber What does the speaker suggest we do when we have these thoughts? Go outdoors and listen to Nature’s teachings

Lines 17-26l Change in narration (Who is speaking?) Line 18 “all beholding sun shall see no more” What type of figurative language is being used? What event is being discussed? What is nature telling us?

Lines 17-26 Change in narration (Who is speaking?) NATURE Line 18 “all beholding sun shall see no more” What type of figurative language is being used? Personification What event is being discussed? When a person is buried in the ground What is nature telling us? In death, the earth reclaims you—mix with the elements

Lines 26-30 What is being said in the following lines? 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.

Lines 26-30 Interpretation You will be dead and buried. Trees will grow around you, piercing you with roots. (circle of life) This is unpleasant because there is no mention of Heaven… …..dying without a ceremony

Lines 31-37 What does lines 31-32 suggest? Tone shift? What response does Nature have to those who fear the solitude or the indignity of death?

Lines 31-37 Interpretation What does lines 31-32 suggest? We are not alone in death Tone shift? OPTIMISTIC What response does Nature have to those who fear the solitude or the indignity of death? Nature insists that death puts one in the company of the greatest, wisest, and most powerful humans who have ever lived.

Lines 37-45 These lines are describing NATURE What are the tombs (Line 45)?

Lines 37-45 These lines are describing NATURE What are the tombs (Line 45)? Hills, woods, rivers, brooks, meadows, ocean….

Interpret the following: Line 48: “….All that tread The globe are but a handful to the tribes That slumber in its bosom.” What does this mean? Where are the dead?

Interpret the following: Line 48: “….All that tread The globe are but a handful to the tribes That slumber in its bosom.” What does this mean? All of the people who are living are nothing in comparison to those who are dead—more people dead than living Where are the dead? EVERYWHERE!

Lines 58-66 In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature speaking about? How does Nature comfort the reader? What does this mean?

Lines 58-66 In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature speaking about? Fear of dying alone and being forgotten How does Nature comfort the reader? Everyone will suffer a similar fate What does this mean? Everyone will go about their lives, but will eventually share the same fate

Lines 66-72…Nature is still speaking What do they all have in common??

Lines 66-72…Nature is still speaking What do they all have in common?? The young, the middle aged, the old, will die…Death is an equal opportunity employer.

Narration Shift back to speaker Lines 73-80 What is the final though from the speaker? Comparing dying to….?

Narration Shift back to speaker Lines 73-80 What is the final though from the speaker? Death is peaceful; When it is your turn don’t be afraid….become one with it. Comparing dying to….? SLEEP

Lessons Earth nourished us and will reclaim us Do not go alone—reunited with all that go before us Endless cycle (birth—growth—re-birth) Death is a natural part of life (theme)