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Death In The Poem Thanatopsis By William Cullen Bryant

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Throughout the poem, “Thanatopsis”, William Cullen Bryant’s positive view surrounding death appears to be consoling. Bryant states his belief that everyone is bound to die at one point. All people are bound to die at one point, and every individual “shalt lie down with patriarchs of the infant world-with kings… the wise, the good, fair forms ” (Bryant 171) Death appears to be reassuring in that it is viewed as inevitable because no matter the person’s social status, in death everyone is equal and exempt from mistreatment. Another way Bryant makes death seem comfortable is by stating that people will not go through any consequences when they pass away. As an example of having no consequences, Bryant states “What if thou withdraw in silence
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Bryant also explains how death is feared by many but he offers comfort to the people that do fear it. Bryant tells the readers about death in a way no poet has said before. Bryant gradually tells the reader more and more about death in each stanza. In “Thanatopsis,” Bryant uses diction to describe death, details to describe how death takes place, and organization to help show the different levels of how people feel about death.

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