Peace Essay, Research Paper
The poem, Thanatopsis, written by William Cullen Bryant, is a wonderful literary work which explores the often controversial questions of death. Within his well written lines Bryant attempts to show the relationship between death s eternal questions and the ongoing cycle of nature and life. Upon concluding the poem many readers are able to reaffirm their faith of an afterlife, while others are left aimlessly pondering this strange possibility. Throughout the poem Bryant creates images which connect death and sleep. In fact, once the reader gets halfway through the poem they discover that Bryant uses these words almost interchangeably. In the second stanza he writes, All that tread the globe are but a handful to the tribes that slumber in its bosom. Instead of referring to death he uses the word slumber. These connections continue in a number of places. Other examples include lines 57 and 66. In line 57 he writes, In their last sleep the dead reign there alone, and in line 66, referring to death and burial, Bryant writes, And make their bed with thee. This connection between death and sleep creates an intriguing metaphor which adds depth and meaning to the poem. By using this strange metaphor I believe Bryant wishes to suggest his faith in an afterlife. While examining the differences and similarities of death and sleep the reader is left with some very thought provoking questions. The answers to these questions reassure some readers while confusing others. Sleep is a time of rest. It allows preparation for the next day or event, and by relating this definition to death Bryant gives new insight on one s fate after earthly existence. When identifying sleep with death Bryant gives death many characteristics of slumber. People generally wake from sleep, and Bryant expands this occurrence to death. Death could simply be a time of rest that retires the bodies of earthly beings, and allows the soul to wake. Upon waking the soul is freed, and enters a new plane of existence. This idea of a spiritual awakening is demonstrated in Thanatopsis. In lines 50 and 51 Bryant writes, Take the wings of morning, pierce the Barcan wilderness. To me, the wings in this statement symbolize a spiritual, angelic being, and the morning suggests a time of waking. After waking, the angelic being breaks through the confinement of the human grave, and continues its existence elsewhere. In my opinion these lines indicate Bryant s belief in an afterlife.
After reflective meditation in the wilderness Bryant comes to terms with death. He knows death is a conclusion to the material world, but in this conclusion is a type of rebirth. Bryant believes death prepares the soul for its next journey. With this belief he is put at ease, but I cannot say the same for myself. I am truly confused about the subject. It
Другие работы по теме:
Cats In The Cradle
– Appreciation Essay, Research Paper This poem (song), “Cats in the Cradle” is written by Harry and Sandy Chapin. The poem teaches you that you have to pay attention to your kids and not as much to your work. This poem is about a dad who pays more attention to his work than to his son.
Poem Fading Away Essay Research Paper as
Poem: Fading Away Essay, Research Paper as i gaze at the falling rain trying to get away from all the pain som uch tension rising in the air dying inside does anyone care
Man Sized Job Essay Research Paper ManSized
Man Sized Job Essay, Research Paper Man-Sized Job was written by Sharlot Hall (1870-1943). It is a poem that defines a woman?s work from a man?s point of view. Poems like this were uncommon in the late 1800?s ? early 1900?s, especially if women wrote them. The two aspects of this poem that I would like to analyze are the vocabulary used and the male chauvinistic point-of-view.
Writing A Poem Essay Research Paper Writing
Writing A Poem Essay, Research Paper Writing a Poem It is beyond reason; there is no motive, no explanation Why it is, I do not know because there is cause, no clarification.
Poem Thank You Essay Research Paper THANK
Poem: Thank You Essay, Research Paper THANK YOU There for me through thick and thin Never hesitates to lend a hand Comforts me when everything seems dim Always listens when I feel the need to express to them
The Lost Soul Essay Research Paper The
The Lost Soul Essay, Research Paper The subject of W.H. Audens ?Unknown Citizen? not only has to do with one particular mans life, but could apply to the life of just about anyone. The theme of the poem is that the man being
Poems
– Free Verse Essay, Research Paper Poem One Typography Form (free verse) The sea as calm as can be a tidal wave hits with great fury the sea gentle eases back
Poem Essay Research Paper I went to
Poem Essay, Research Paper I went to bed last night Wishing on a star Your light shines in my heart No matter where you are It’s hard for me to say My words are sometimes few
Poem Destiny Essay Research Paper Sometimes I
Poem: Destiny Essay, Research Paper Sometimes I wonder if life is just meant to be If we have not a choice in the matter, or we really are free I walked down the street on one fine day
Poem Angel Essay Research Paper Once upon
Poem: Angel Essay, Research Paper Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God, “They tell me you’re sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?”
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Chinese Poetry Essay Research Paper Although the
Chinese Poetry Essay, Research Paper Although the Chinese poetry I encountered was relatively short, their significant was not at all compromised. It did not matter that these poems were written hundreds of years ago they felt relevant to me. They reminded me of what should be a priority of life, finding inner peace.
Just A Poem Essay Research Paper And
Just A Poem Essay, Research Paper And if you should crash down and break apart If all your dreams should shatter and burn in the fire And if all that you can see is the darkness at the end
Those Winter Sundays Essay Research Paper Joshua
?Those Winter Sundays? Essay, Research Paper Joshua Erd, Box 630 Fawn Knight ASEN 101-02 29 November 2000 Those Winter Sundays Review The poem of ?Those Winter Sundays? has a very interesting and peculiar ending. The author of the poem leaves the ending open. By an open ending I mean the author ends the poem with a question.
Poem My Journey Essay Research Paper My
Poem: My Journey Essay, Research Paper My Journey My journey through Nature’s community, A community of green Aging giants of nature. Standing in brown dead needles,
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Poem Breaking Me Essay Research Paper Breaking
Poem: Breaking Me Essay, Research Paper Breaking Me Everyday, I see your face, I wish that you?d stayed Don?t even know what made you run away It?s just the way, that you play the game
Athlete Dying Young Essay Research Paper The
Athlete Dying Young Essay, Research Paper The Critical Analysis & Summarization of "To An Athlete Dying Young", by A.E Housman This poem is telling the reader that you can not
The Gift Essay Research Paper The Gift
The Gift Essay, Research Paper The Gift In “The Gift” by Louise Glock, the little boy is calling oggie, oggie, at his front door. This could mean several things, first we would have to look at
Poem The Beach Essay Research Paper Ryan
Poem: The Beach Essay, Research Paper Ryan Hartney English 9 3/8/01 The Beach I have always liked the beach best Its fun in the sun for everyone You can have a picnic
Poem Your Touch Essay Research Paper The
Poem: Your Touch Essay, Research Paper The sparkle in your eyes reminds me of the light in your soul To see the brightness of your smile is my ultimate goal The touch of your hand
Poem The Dove Essay Research Paper The
Poem: The Dove Essay, Research Paper The day i met you, i had no clue, that we could love, upon a dove, but the day our love was set, it was difficult to get, a moment with us together,
Poem Essay Research Paper Four Years Ago
Poem Essay, Research Paper Four Years Ago Today Today is the anniversary Of my brothers death Four years ago today God layed him down for eternal rest Four years ago today