William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis And To A Waterfowl

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William Cullen Bryant is one of the most famous poets of the Romantic Period who affected future generations with his writings. Bryant’s life and writings circled around nature. Bryant was religiously and politically affected by his father and his family background, but he did not necessarily stick to his religious background. His major works are “Thanatopsis” and “To a Waterfowl”, which portrays nature. Bryant’s life, writings, and worldview were influenced by nature and by his father and his family surroundings. Bryant was greatly influenced by his family and his upbringings which affected his writings. Important to realize, Bryant’s greatest influence in his life and his writings was his father. Peter Bryant would be the one who brought “Thanatopsis” to editors. Furthermore, Peter Bryant would take a traditional take on …show more content…
Bryant wrote “Ah me! Neglected on the list of fame! / My works unnoticed and unknown my name!” which would be is ambition in life, even though he would become known and influential (Poetry Foundation). “Thanatopsis” would leave a mark on his generation and future generations. “Thanatopsis” would be his most famous poem. One of the best-known American poem in the 1800s was “Thanatopsis” (Poetry Foundation). To point out, Bryant is remembered for his writings and would be a highly influential figure. He was still beloved from his poems when he was in his eighties. In the 19th century, he was one of the most celebrated figures (Poetry Foundation). He is best remembered for “Thanatopsis” and “To a Waterfowl”, and also the editor for fifty years for the New York Evening Post. He will be remembered the longest as a poet of “his native Berkshire hills and streams in such poems as ‘Thanatopsis’ and ‘To a Waterfowl’ ” (Encyclopedia Britannica). With this in mind, Bryant would be remembered for his writings and would be a highly influential figure (Poetry
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William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis And To A Waterfowl

nineteenth century, “Thanatopsis” and“To A Waterfowl” are William Cullen Bryant’s most well-known poems. Both works of literature express nature’s beauty and comforting ways, while also mentioning the intimidating thought of death as part of its cycle. “Thanatopsis” explains that death is not something to be fearful of because in the end, everyone’s destiny is the same. Bryant says, “...All that breathe / Will share thy destiny / ...and shall come / And make their bed with thee” (Thanatopsis 60-66). Nature…

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