Romanticism In William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis
Abstract art is something that is both renowned and misunderstood around the world, but where does the idea of this idea of an abstract image or meaning come from? This pattern of abstract thought, which can be demonstrated both with words on a page and paint on a canvas, originates from the concept romanticism. This is an idea of individual thought and perceived meaning. One poem that does this really well is William Cullen Bryant’s “Thanatopsis”. This poem is about the essence of life and death. Etched deep into this poem are clues that were implemented to show how nature gives clues to mysteries of life and death, and these clues are evident because they follow the ideas of romanticism. Before; however, the discussion about how these examples relate to romanticism can begin, the idea of romanticism must be explained further. Romanticism is a departure from the plain and simple terms of the really old days. While “literary devices viewed in the …show more content…
A good example is “when the thoughts/Of the last bitter hour come like a blight” (Bryant). This line is undoubtedly about death. One thing this poem does really well is to describe the clues that natures gives about the mysteries of life. This pointed is exemplified by the line “The youth in life’s green spring” (Bryant). This line in the poem, is showing us how nature gives us insight into the meaning of life. In this case, the spring season demonstrates to us the mysteries behind the energy and beauty of youth, and how the blossoming of human life begins. This perceived interpretation is completely backed up by the overarching theme of life and death in this poem (Bryant). This theme being brought about by the overwhelming use of the romanticists tool, metaphor and association (Tóth). Life is not the only mystery, according to the poem, that is being unearthed by nature. Clues about the nature of death is also
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