Reflection: William Cullen Bryant

There are several techniques used in William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” that classify his writings as Romanticism pieces. The large amount of nature influences in his poem is example number one. Bryant often uses the pronoun ‘her’ to refer back to nature. The open sky, cold ground, bearing sun, and waters are all elements portrayed in the poem (Snodgrass). “Thanatopsis”, which is the study of death and dying, is a topic that is expected to be covered in a Romanticist way. As a dark and edgy topic, Romanticism works can discuss the matter in a detailed and imaginative way, which is exactly what Bryant does in this piece.

William Cullen Bryant embraces the importance of detail often in “Thanatopsis.” He describes nature with religion by saying:

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.

Along with the great focus on nature, “Thanatopsis” tells of the inevitability of death in human nature. Bryant tells a story of life and death through nature. After death, the author claims, “Thine individual being, shalt thou go to mix forever with the elements (Snodgrass).” Bryant is referring to the burial that most people with go through after death. The human body will disintegrate and become one with nature. William Cullen Bryant also points out the similarities between all humans. No matter the social class or level of intelligence, all people are given the same right to be buried in our land. He admits:

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.

Bryant concludes his poem by clarify his readers that they should live life, and not wait around for death. He sends the audience away with a positive and inspired feeling. Although the poem wasn’t necessarily about the most uplifting topic, William Cullen Bryant is able to discuss death in a descriptive and imaginative manner. By doing this, Bryant kept his readers interested in what he had to say. So much so, that his Romanticism poem, “Thanatopsis”, has been given much praise by readers and higher authorities (Lounsbury). The Encyclopedia of Gothic Literature claims that William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” was awarded so much praise “for its maturity and dignity.” It is true; Bryant’s professional approach to discussing death deserved all the praise that it received. His details and comparisons showed great imagination and originality that only he could have envisioned. The criticism made by the encyclopedia also pointed out the importance of the Romanticism period in literature. It states, “The poet contemplated death from an American point of view rather than in the manner of the rhapsodic imaginings of Europe's graveyard poets (Lounsbury).” The Romanticism period is known as the beginning to American Literature. The detailed, imaginative writing style that the authors of this writing period used was the true influence to American styles to come.

Lounsbury, Thomas R., ed. Yale Book of American Verse. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1912; Bartleby.com, 1999.

Snodgrass, Mary Ellen. "'Thanatopsis'." Encyclopedia of Gothic Literature. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.