1. Thanatopsis

2. The underlying theme of the poem is death and a new way of looking at it. The underlying theme of the poem is death and a new way of looking at it. The speaker in the first stanza is contemplating death. The speaker in the first stanza is contemplating death. Nature is personified and becomes the speaker in the second stanza. Nature is personified and becomes the speaker in the second stanza.

3. Nature tells us that death is fine—actually a good thing because once you die you are buried and your body will rot, making you an element of nature (you will fertilize the earth). Nature tells us that death is fine—actually a good thing because once you die you are buried and your body will rot, making you an element of nature (you will fertilize the earth). Nature says that death is okay because it happens to everybody no matter the social class. Nature says that death is okay because it happens to everybody no matter the social class.

4. Nature tells us that life goes on after we are dead, and even if nobody cares when we die, we are not the only ones that will die. Nature tells us that life goes on after we are dead, and even if nobody cares when we die, we are not the only ones that will die. Nature finally tells us not to fear death because it is a part of nature. Nature finally tells us not to fear death because it is a part of nature.