Thanatopsis

• Who is the poet of "Thanatopsis"?


  William Cullen Bryant
• Where was William Cullen Bryant born?


  Cummington, Massachusetts
• What themes did Bryant primarily write about?


  Nature
• At what age did Bryant start attending Williams College?


  16 years old
• Why did Bryant leave Williams College?


  He hoped to attend Yale University but could not afford it due to his father's salary.
• What does the term "Thanatopsis" mean?


  Contemplation of death (from Greek thanat- meaning "death" and -opsis meaning "view").
• How long did the manuscript of "Thanatopsis" sit in a desk before being discovered?

  Five years
• Which publication first published "Thanatopsis"?


  The North American Review
• What degree did Bryant pursue after his literary work?

  A law degree
• In which year did Bryant pass the bar exam?

  1815
• What political stance did Bryant take in his editorials?


  He spoke out against slavery.
• Which political party did Bryant help to found?


  The Republican Party
• What is the central theme of "Thanatopsis"?


  : Contemplation and acceptance of death as an inevitable and unifying force.
• How does the poem's title relate to its mood?

  : The title's contemplative nature reflects the poem's introspective and reflective tone.
• What type of poem is "Thanatopsis"?

  : It's not a traditional elegy; it's a more rustic and meditative piece.
• What poetic device enhances the poem's thoughtful tone?

  : Bryant's use of blank verse provides structural flexibility, allowing for a meandering and introspective style.
• How does enjambment contribute to the poem's tone?


  : Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence from one line to the next, echoes the feeling of wandering thought.