““Thanatopsis”Thanatopsis”

Thantos (Greek)= DeathThantos (Greek)= Death

Opsis (Greek)= SeeingOpsis (Greek)= Seeing

Thanatopsis= Looking at death-a Thanatopsis= Looking at death-a way of viewing itway of viewing it

Romanticism + ThanatopsisRomanticism + Thanatopsis

Draws moral lessons from nature Draws moral lessons from nature (Popular at the time)(Popular at the time)

Bryant—speaking of NatureBryant—speaking of Nature Reverence for Nature is an element Reverence for Nature is an element

of Romanticismof Romanticism

*Reverence – profound respect for love/nature*Reverence – profound respect for love/nature

Lines 1-8Lines 1-8

Who is “she”….”she speaks a various Who is “she”….”she speaks a various language;”language;”

Who is speaking?Who is speaking? Identify tone shift in last lineIdentify tone shift in last line

What type of figurative language is What type of figurative language is being used??being used??

Understanding Lines 1-8Understanding Lines 1-8

Who is “she”….”she speaks a various Who is “she”….”she speaks a various language;” language;” “She” = NATURE“She” = NATURE

Who is speaking? Who is speaking? Narrator/SpeakerNarrator/Speaker Tone shift: “Their sharpness, ever he is Tone shift: “Their sharpness, ever he is

aware. When thoughts…. (aware. When thoughts…. (to somber)to somber)

What type of figurative language is being What type of figurative language is being used?? used?? Personification….Nature is speaking Personification….Nature is speaking in various ways to those who love herin various ways to those who love her

Lines 8-17; Last bitter hour?Lines 8-17; Last bitter hour?

““thoughts”?????thoughts”????? Blight = ??Blight = ?? What do the images in lines 11-13 What do the images in lines 11-13

refer to?refer to? What is the tone?What is the tone? What does the speaker suggest we What does the speaker suggest we

do when we have these thoughts?do when we have these thoughts?

Last bitter hour= Final hour Last bitter hour= Final hour of lifeof life

““thoughts”????? thoughts”????? Blight = ?? Blight = ?? Impair, destroyImpair, destroy What do the images in lines 11-13 refer What do the images in lines 11-13 refer

to? to? Death is a sickening thoughtDeath is a sickening thought What is the tone? What is the tone? Sad and somberSad and somber What does the speaker suggest we do What does the speaker suggest we do

when we have these thoughts? when we have these thoughts? Go Go outdoors and listen to Nature’s outdoors and listen to Nature’s teachingsteachings

Lines 17-26l Change in narration (Who Lines 17-26l Change in narration (Who is speaking?)is speaking?)

Line 18 “all beholding sun shall see no more” What type of figurative language is being used?

What event is being discussed?

What is nature telling us?

Lines 17-26 Change in narration (Who Lines 17-26 Change in narration (Who is speaking?) is speaking?) NATURENATURE

Line 18 “all beholding sun shall see no more” What type of figurative language is being used? Personification

What event is being discussed? When a person is buried in the ground

What is nature telling us? In death, the earth reclaims you—mix with the elements

Lines 26-30Lines 26-30

What is being said in the following lines?What is being said in the following lines?

To To mixmix forever with the elements forever with the elements

To be a To be a brotherbrother to the insensible rock, to the insensible rock,

And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swainAnd to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain

Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oakTurns with his share, and treads upon. The oak

Shall Shall send his rootssend his roots abroad and abroad and pierce thy pierce thy moldmold..

Lines 26-30 InterpretationLines 26-30 Interpretation

You will be dead and buried. Trees will You will be dead and buried. Trees will grow around you, piercing you with grow around you, piercing you with roots. (circle of life)roots. (circle of life)

This is unpleasant because there is no This is unpleasant because there is no mention of Heaven… …..dying mention of Heaven… …..dying without a ceremonywithout a ceremony

Lines 31-37Lines 31-37

What does lines 31-32 suggest?What does lines 31-32 suggest?

Tone shift?Tone shift?

What response does Nature have to What response does Nature have to those who fear the solitude or the those who fear the solitude or the indignity of death?indignity of death?

Lines 31-37 InterpretationLines 31-37 Interpretation

What does lines 31-32 suggest?What does lines 31-32 suggest?We are not alone in deathWe are not alone in death Tone shift? Tone shift? OPTIMISTICOPTIMISTIC What response does Nature have to What response does Nature have to

those who fear the solitude or the those who fear the solitude or the indignity of death? indignity of death? Nature insists that Nature insists that death puts one in the company of the death puts one in the company of the greatest, wisest, and most powerful greatest, wisest, and most powerful humans who have ever lived.humans who have ever lived.

Lines 37-45Lines 37-45

These lines are describing NATUREThese lines are describing NATURE What are the tombs (Line 45)?What are the tombs (Line 45)?

Lines 37-45Lines 37-45

These lines are describing NATUREThese lines are describing NATURE What are the tombs (Line 45)?What are the tombs (Line 45)?

Hills, woods, rivers, brooks, meadows, Hills, woods, rivers, brooks, meadows, ocean….ocean….

Interpret the following:Interpret the following:

Line 48: Line 48:

“…“….All that tread .All that tread

The globe are but a handful to the The globe are but a handful to the tribestribes

That slumber in its bosom.”That slumber in its bosom.” What does this mean?What does this mean? Where are the dead?Where are the dead?

Interpret the following:Interpret the following:

Line 48: Line 48:

“…“….All that tread .All that tread

The globe are but a handful to the tribesThe globe are but a handful to the tribes

That slumber in its bosom.”That slumber in its bosom.” What does this mean? What does this mean? All of the people All of the people

who are living are nothing in comparison who are living are nothing in comparison to those who are dead—more people dead to those who are dead—more people dead than livingthan living

Where are the dead? Where are the dead? EVERYWHERE!EVERYWHERE!

Lines 58-66Lines 58-66

In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature speaking about?speaking about?

How does Nature comfort the How does Nature comfort the reader?reader?

What does this mean?What does this mean?

Lines 58-66Lines 58-66

In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature In Lines 58-60, what fear is Nature speaking about?speaking about?

Fear of dying alone and being forgottenFear of dying alone and being forgotten How does Nature comfort the reader?How does Nature comfort the reader?

Everyone will suffer a similar fateEveryone will suffer a similar fate What does this mean?What does this mean?

Everyone will go about their lives, but Everyone will go about their lives, but will eventually share the same fatewill eventually share the same fate

Lines 66-72…Nature is still Lines 66-72…Nature is still speakingspeaking

What do they all have in common??What do they all have in common??

Lines 66-72…Nature is still Lines 66-72…Nature is still speakingspeaking

What do they all have in common??What do they all have in common??

The young, the middle aged, the old, The young, the middle aged, the old, will die…Death is an equal will die…Death is an equal opportunity employer.opportunity employer.

Narration Shift back to Narration Shift back to speakerspeaker

Lines 73-80Lines 73-80 What is the final though from the What is the final though from the

speaker?speaker? Comparing dying to….?Comparing dying to….?

Narration Shift back to Narration Shift back to speakerspeaker

Lines 73-80Lines 73-80 What is the final though from the What is the final though from the

speaker?speaker?

Death is peaceful; When it is your turn Death is peaceful; When it is your turn don’t be afraid….become one with it.don’t be afraid….become one with it.

Comparing dying to….?Comparing dying to….? SLEEP SLEEP

LessonsLessons

Earth nourished us and will reclaim Earth nourished us and will reclaim usus

Do not go alone—reunited with all Do not go alone—reunited with all that go before usthat go before us

Endless cycle (birth—growth—re-Endless cycle (birth—growth—re-birth)birth)

Death is a natural part of life (theme)Death is a natural part of life (theme)