The Romantic period in American literature showed a lot of themes about deep appreciation for nature, individualism, and the supernatural. Authors of this period, such as William Cullen Bryant, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, captured these themes in their works and each has their own style that makes their work unique and intriguing to any reader. William Cullen Bryant's poem "Thanatopsis” has an important emphasis on themes of nature and its role in human life and death. In this poem, Bryant contemplates the idea of death as a natural part of life, “The golden sun, the planets, all the infinite host of heaven, are shining on the sad abodes of death” (Bryant, W). Nature can provide solace and a sense …show more content…
Especially in his essay "Nature" which has a huge emphasis on themes of spiritual connection with the natural world. “The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and the heart of the child.” (Emerson, R.W) This quote emphasizes children may have a deeper and more profound connection to nature than adults as adults have a lot more going on compared to children. This is just one sentence from the essay as the majority of the sentences in Emerson's essay have a lot of metaphors, imagery and meaning all relating to themes that nature is a source of inspiration and renewal for the individual, and it encourages readers to seek a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe through direct experience with …show more content…
His poem “Pauls Revere’s Ride” uses narrative poetry that immerses the reader in the dramatic events of Paul Revere's historic ride, “So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm,—A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo forevermore!” (Longfellow, H.W) This quote captures the urgency and tension of the moment. Longfellow's skillful use of descriptive language and vivid imagery brings the story to life, making the reader feel as though they are riding alongside Revere, experiencing the excitement and danger of his mission. Through his narrative style, Longfellow not only recounts a significant moment in American history but also creates a compelling and memorable piece of literature that resonates with
Chuck Palahniuk once said, “The first step to eternal life, is you have to die.” In William Cullen Bryant’s poem “Thanatopsis”, he does not mention eternal life or anything religious, but speaks about death. He tells his readers that death is a natural thing and they should not worry about it. William Cullen Bryant, in his poem “Thanatopsis”, portrays a comforting view of death. Throughout the poem, Bryant encourages his readers by explaining that in death they are not alone, that death, like life, is a natural process, and that they will be among some of the finest people who walked the earth.
Paul Revere's Ride is a collection of historical accounts centering around Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn the countryside of the battles that occurred. The novel is made up of narrative accounts that tell the whole story of the midnight ride. David Hackett Fischer goes to great lengths to cover every possible angle in telling the story. "Fischer illuminates the figure of Paul Revere, a man far more complex than a simple artisan and messenger"(3). By adding different perspectives he allows the reader to see not only the American idealistic point of view, but we get a chance to hear British accounts of these particular events. In this way Hackett Fischer paints an accurate and unbiased picture not only of Paul Revere and his ride, but also of many other supporting historical figures that were important in making these events happen.
In “Thanatopsis” Bryant gives nature a healing sympathy towards humanity when he needs it most. When humanity is having bad thoughts about death nature tries to help him feel better about it. Bryant wrote "She glides/ Into his darker musings, with a mild/ And healing sympathy" ("Thanatopsis" 5-7). The dark thoughts that he has nature tries to get into his mind to make him forget about those thoughts and just live his life. Nature also wants humanity to feel happy and to not worry about things such as death. Nature tells him that death is apart of life and to not worry. Bryant wrote "Approach thy grave/ Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch/ About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams" ("Thanatopsis" 79-81). When it comes for humanity to approach its grave he will lie down with nothing but pleasant dreams of its life that just passed and nature will take care of him while he is in his resting place. Nature cares for humanity and she does not want him to have dark thoughts and worry about death because it is natural for living things to die.
A synthesis essay should be organized so that others can understand the sources and evaluate your comprehension of them and their presentation of specific data, themes, etc.
William Cullen Bryant wrote a poem regarding the passing of people from this world into the afterlife which he called “Thanatopsis”. The word Thanatopsis is actually a Greek word meaning ‘meditation on or contemplation of death’. It is the opinion of some readers that this poem expresses a traditional religious view of afterlife in heaven where as others who read it see it as a process that only involves our rejoining with nature. Bryant made references to heaven, nature and spirits which contribute to the discussion on both sides of the argument. Poetry, just like every other form of art, is subject to interpretation. After taking a closer look at Thanatopsis it will be easier to see just why these people cannot seem to agree. Bryant made
Despite the world being full of diverse people with varying accomplishments and skill sets, people oftentimes assume the qualities and traits of an individual based purely on the stereotypes set forth by society. Although these stereotypes are unavoidable, an individual can be liberated, empowered and ultimately overcome these stereotypes by obtaining an advanced education.
For many, the thought of death is the most frightful thoughts possible. However, William Cullen Bryant views death simply as a musing to which nature’s power can soothe. In Bryant's work “Thanatopsis,” he exposes nature’s empowerment through a filter of death. This is done using writing styles of the Romanticism period. “Thanatopsis” perfectly exhibits the characteristics of romantic writing in order to reveal Bryant’s true intention of nature’s comfort.
The American Romantic movement was a diverse literary movement with a range of authors, including Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, and Hawthorne. Writers of this period of time were witness to great growth. The stories of these writers show an enormous shift in the attitude of many Americans. American romanticism writers were fairly outspoken in their support of human rights. Romantics focused on themes of individualism and nature in their writings.
In conclusion, William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis” firmly entrenches him in the romantic tradition of Early American Literature. It is his personification of nature that offers comfort and peace to those who fear dying and what may come when it happens. He uses this personification and deification of nature to speak to the listener and offer words of comfort, hope, and peace. He concludes this poem with Nature suggesting that death is not something to be feared, but it is to be embraced as willingly as
The Vikings were impressive international tradesmen of their time. In fact, one of the most prominent features of the Viking Age was the immense trade network that the Norse maintained, which stretched from Greenland in the west to Baghdad and central Asia in the east, and comprised virtually all of the communities who lived in between. Moreover, Northern Europe’s economy was renovated from an exchange system into a commercial trade economy. For the Vikings, trade was the principal focus of all their settlements. In fact, the Vikings passion for trade led to numerous enhancements of various civilizations. For example, the Vikings introduced concepts and goods that would not have been assessable for some civilizations, which possibly saved a
Television has affected every aspect of life in society, radically changing the way individuals live and interact with the world. However, change is not always for the better, especially the influence of television on political campaigns towards presidency. Since the 1960s, presidential elections in the United States were greatly impacted by television, yet the impact has not been positive. Television allowed the public to have more access to information and gained reassurance to which candidate they chose to vote for. However, the media failed to recognize the importance of elections. Candidates became image based rather than issue based using a “celebrity system” to concern the public with subjects regarding debates (Hart and Trice). Due to “hyperfamiliarity” television turned numerous people away from being interested in debates between candidates (Hart and Trice). Although television had the ability to reach a greater number of people than it did before the Nixon/Kennedy debate, it shortened the attention span of the public, which made the overall process of elections unfair, due to the emphasis on image rather than issue.
"Thanatopsis was written by William Cullen Bryant in 1811 and is presented in the book The Norton Anthology of American literature. The themes in "Thanatopsis” is centered on death, however, Mr. Bryant is not portraying death as something to fear. Instead he presents a view of dying as natural, inescapable, and a unifying moment on earth (Krupat and Levine 124-125).
The American Romantic period was essentially a Renaissance of American literature. “It was a Renaissance in the sense of a flowering, excitement over human possibilities, and a high regard for individual ego” (English). American romantics were influenced by the literary eras that came before them, and their writings were a distinct reaction against the ideology of these previous eras. In this sense, American Romanticism grew from “. . . the rhetoric of salvation, guilt, and providential visions of Puritanism, the wilderness reaches of this continent, and the fiery rhetoric of freedom and equality . . .” as they eagerly developed their own unique style of writing (English). American romantic authors had a strong sense of national identity and
Romanticism is an influential literary movement in America that changed literature permanently from the drastically modest and structured ideals of Puritanism. Two contrasting types of authors, Romantics and Dark Romantics, introduce new, meaningful literature to America; while Romantics see the light and airy side of the world, Dark Romantics see the darker more horrific side. This drastically modified literary period is influenced by Europe and was revolutionary for America from the moment it arrived. American Romanticism rejects the normal, rational thought and praises the unpredictability and complexity of emotion. Romanticism has changed American literature forever.
The quote “To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man, but shines into the eye and heart of the child” …One should look at everything as if it is the first time, sheading the skin of adult hood and accepting the innocence of youth. Emerson exemplifies the importance of youthfulness; he believed that when one experience the pleasure of nature it is essential to see nature through the eyes of a child. Emerson exemplifies the importance of youthfulness; he believed that when one experience the pleasure of nature it is essential to see nature through the eyes of a