BELL RINGERIn notebooks answer this question:What can death teach us about life?

Thanatopsis Thantos (Greek)- Death Opsis (Greek)- Seeing Thanatopsis= looking at death- a way of

viewing it.

By William Cullen Bryant P. 336

William Cullen Bryant

Attracted to a deist philosophy, which states that divinity can be found in nature.

Started writing at age 9. Wrote “Thanatopsis” when he was 17. Considered to be an outspoken liberal-

supported social reform, free speech, and abolition of slavery.

Romanticism

Draws moral lessons from nature. Emphasis on Imagination Colorful language Fascination with the Supernatural Fascination with dead Encourage individualism Emotion Patriotism

Vocabulary

Communion- the sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings.

Musings-deep thoughts or contemplations Shroud- a garment a dead person is

wrapped in for burial. Blight- a thing that spoils or damages

something. Elements- one of four substances (earth,

air, fire, water).

CONTINUED!

Pensive- thinking deeply or seriously. Quarry-a place, usually a large deep pit

from which stone or other materials have been extracted.

Rude Swain- a uneducated youth. Pall- coffin cover Hoary-seers- white haired prophets.

Inverted Sentences

Correct: subject, verb, complement or object word order.

Bryant: rearranges to keep same meter. Example: Yoda

> Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.

Time to Read!

Open Books to page 338

Lessons

Earth nourishes us and will reclaim us. Do not go alone- reunited with all that go

before us. Endless cycle (birth-growth-re-birth) Death is a natural part of life (theme)

Activity

In pairs (meaning 2 people) paraphrase the lines assigned to you.

Determine what they mean. Identify poetic devices. Explain how Bryant uses the device to

convey meaning. Share and take notes.