Thanatopsis

The poem Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryan is perfect example of Romanticism. It focuses on promoting the common people, nature, and imagination. We can see many examples of the focus on imagination and nature. “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.” This quote is basically saying listen close to Mother Nature and of course Mother Nature is really not talking, but it implies for us to imagine it and listen to her voice. Nature is another example in this same quote when it talks about the Earth’s water and the air. ”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” I love this part of the poem Thanatopsis because it says no matter who you are or what you did, you will eventually die and everyone will lie down together. It promotes the common people and tells us not to be afraid of death. The entire poem tries to give some comfort to whoever is afraid of death. It basically says that we are all going to die, but that we should not be afraid of it because you are not going to be alone. You will be more accompanied when you die than when you are alive. I am not afraid of dying, but I am more afraid of what comes after that. However, I did find some comfort in reading this poem and I think everyone at one point or another in their lives should read it.