¶ … Thanatopsis

The lines in William Cullen Bryant's poem, "Thanatopsis," that could be depicted in a painting are when the poet mentions the being that will go to:

To mix forever with the elements,

To be a brother to the insensible rock

And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain

Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oak

Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mould. (Bryant 27-31)

In these lines, it is easy to picture a ghostly spirit becoming one with the earth, finally finding peace wrapped up in the trees roots. This reinforces the notion of becoming one with the earth. Another scene that is vivid is when the poet describes laying down with:

With patriarchs of the infant world -- with kings,

The powerful of the earth -- the wise, the good,

Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,

All in one mighty sepulchre. (35-8)

Here we can see all of these people in one magnificent grave, suggesting that we are all the same once we pass through this life. We do not die to be left alone. Instead, we share the afterlife with many who came before us. Another scene that is compelling is when the poet describes the:

Long train

Of ages glides away, the sons of men

The youth in life's fresh spring, and he who goes

In the full strength of years, matron and maid,

The speechless babe, and the gray-headed man

Shall one by one be gathered to thy side,

By those, who in their turn shall follow them. (67-73)

In this scene, we are shown the majesty of death with all of life -- past and present in one scene. We have all of those figures, representing a lifetime of memories that linger behind the man as he makes his way toward the other side of life.

Work Cited

Bryant, William Cullen. "Thanatopsis." Masterpieces of American Poetry. Van Doren, Mark, ed.

New York: Garden City Publishing Co., Inc. 1936. pp.35-7.