Exploring the Text

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  1. “Thanatopsis” is notable for its use of syntactical inversions, which can at first make understanding difficult. What is the subject of the first sentence, which runs through line 8?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - “Thanatopsis” is notable for its use of syntactical inversions, which can at first make understanding difficult. What is the subject of the first sentence, which runs through line 8?
  2. Why is nature’s voice “various” (l. 3)? What is the speaker’s attitude toward nature as expressed in lines 1–17?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Why is nature’s voice “various” (l. 3)? What is the speaker’s attitude toward nature as expressed in lines 1–17?
  3. In this poem, William Cullen Bryant develops several stunning metaphors. What is the meaning of the “last bitter hour” (l. 9), the “narrow house” (l. 12), the “Couch more magnificent” (l. 33), and “innumerable caravan” (l. 74)? How do these metaphors contribute to the poem?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In this poem, William Cullen Bryant develops several stunning metaphors. What is the meaning of the “last bitter hour” (l. 9), the “narrow house” (l. 12), the “Couch more magnificent” (l. 33), and “innumerable caravan” (l. 74)? How do these metaphors contribute to the poem?
  4. What are the antecedents of the pronouns their (l. 8) and his (l. 19)? How does identifying them aid your understanding of the poem?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What are the antecedents of the pronouns their (l. 8) and his (l. 19)? How does identifying them aid your understanding of the poem?
  5. Identify three examples of personification in the poem. What are their effects?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Identify three examples of personification in the poem. What are their effects?
  6. This poem employs several contrasts. Identify three prominent ones. What is their effect?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - This poem employs several contrasts. Identify three prominent ones. What is their effect?
  7. What is the meaning of lines 22–30? Is the circumstance they recount still true today? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the meaning of lines 22–30? Is the circumstance they recount still true today? Explain.
  8. What is the primary implication of lines 48–50?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the primary implication of lines 48–50?
  9. How would you describe Bryant’s tone in this poem?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How would you describe Bryant’s tone in this poem?
  10. The poem’s title, “Thanatopsis,” takes its meaning from the Greek thanatos, death, and opsis, vision or sight, and is often called “A Meditation on Death.” The poem is indeed about death and mortality. Is it gloomy? Depressing? How would you describe the mood of the poem?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - The poem’s title, “Thanatopsis,” takes its meaning from the Greek thanatos, death, and opsis, vision or sight, and is often called “A Meditation on Death.” The poem is indeed about death and mortality. Is it gloomy? Depressing? How would you describe the mood of the poem?