Thanatopsis

An analysis of this poem must begin with its title. “Thanatopsis” is a Greek word meaning “a view of death.” The poem is therefore a philosophical meditation on the nature of death and mortality. By referencing Ancient Greek tradition, the title is implying that the poem will take a rationalist view of death—which is in keeping with Bryant’s connection to Deism, an 18th century version of Christianity that emphasized finding the divine in reason and nature.

The poem opens with a celebration of nature and all that it can do for humans in times of gladness and despair. Nature is described as particularly attuned to people—knowing when to reflect their happiness back to them, and when to distract them from their sadness. The poem personifies nature (or, gives human qualities to an inanimate idea) as a female being that embodies the ideal 19th century woman: pliant, decorative, supportive, and asking nothing in return for her emotional labor:

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile

And eloquence of beauty, and she glides  

Into his darker musings, with a mild  

And healing sympathy (Lines 4-7)

The poem then shifts to apostrophe, the literary device of directly addressing the reader.