Explication of "Thanatopsis"

The literal meaning of the poem titled "Thanatopsis" written by William Cullen Bryant is truly quite simple, and it appears as if the message is almost a bit redundant throughout the work. The main message in which Bryant conveys is that nature is always around you and everyone will die eventually to become a part of nature. The first sentence speaks of how nature only talks to those who love it, and it seems to steal their thoughts. Then Bryant states that if one is feeling depressed, they must go into nature and listen to its teachings. Like the big oak tree, nature will reach out to you. He goes on to discuss how everybody is buried in the same Earth, and between the other people and nature itself, you will not die alone. However, Bryant says that nature, including the sun, is sheerly decoration for mankind's grave. Next, he slightly switches the subject by stating that the entire population does not compare to the amount of people that have returned to the natural world. He illustrates this point by saying how life still goes on after you die, though some may laugh, they too will die at some point. Bryant closes by suggesting that if everyone dies, then you should simply relax and let death happen.

Bryant uses multiple poetic devices to aid in the effectiveness of his poem. The most reoccurring of which is imagery. He uses such lines as "...the complaining brooks that make the meadows green" to let the reader imagine the exact type of place in nature he is referring to. The previous quote also brings up another poetic device. In this instance, he gives the woods, brooks, and rivers humanlike qualities which is defined as personification. This gives these natural items for meaning. Simile plays a strong role as well. The most apparent example is in lines 37-38 when he says, "the hills rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun." This phrase gives the reader insight into the personality of the specific hills. Finally, Bryant utilizes the poetic device of putting his writing into stanzas. This is quite a useful tool to separate his different thoughts.

Taking into account both the figurative and literal meanings, this poem speaks loudly about death in humanity. Bryant attempts to convey the main point that everyone will die eventually. Of course, he elaborates on this topic by suggesting that since all people eventually become entombed in nature, nothing else should matter such as social class or wealth. Along with this point, Bryant points out that since everybody knows, or should know, their eventual fate, they should not fret over death, but rather accept it and relax knowing it will come.