Thanatopsis

In the line from "Thanatopsis," "The oak/ Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mold," what is meant by "pierce thy mold"?

• The oak tree will send its roots throughout the Earth

• Oak trees will send roots through your corpse/body

• The oak tree connects to Nature through its roots

What is the PURPOSE of the poem, "Thanatopsis"?

• to convince the reader that death is painless

• to show the cruel reality of death and the harsh images of the the body's decay after death

• to show an optimistic view of death and to encourage comfort for those dealing with death

In "Thanatopsis," the line "Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mold" is an example of iambic ____.

• tetrameter

• pentameter

• hexameter

Compare the themes and imagery in 'To a Waterfowl' with another poem by William Cullen Bryant.

• Themes of love and betrayal in 'To a Waterfowl' compared to themes of war and peace in 'Thanatopsis'.

• Themes of technology and progress in 'To a Waterfowl' compared to themes of tradition and heritage in 'Thanatopsis'.

• Themes of nature, solitude, and divine providence in 'To a Waterfowl' compared to themes of death and interconnectedness in 'Thanatopsis'.

• Imagery of darkness and despair in 'To a Waterfowl' compared to imagery of light and hope in 'Thanatopsis'.

"Thanatopsis" means...

• A contemplation of death

• Life after Death

• The Afterlife

• Nature V. Nuture

Identify the literary device used in these lines from "Thanatopsis"To him who in the love of Nature holdsCommunion with her visible forms; she speaksA various language....

• Simile

• Allusion

• Personification

• Paradox

The BEST way to describe Bryant's view of death is his poem "Thanatopsis" is...

• He sees it as sad, depressing affair

• He sees it positively; he believes everyone returns to Nature.

• He fears death.

• He encourages everyone to find God before they die.

In 'Thanatopsis,' what does the term 'Thanatopsis' mean?

• A contemplation of death

• Life after Death

• The Afterlife

• Nature V. Nurture

What is the primary theme of 'Thanatopsis'?

• The inevitability of death

• The beauty of nature

• The power of love

• The importance of friendship

Which literary device is predominantly used in 'Thanatopsis' when nature is described as speaking to the reader?

• Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole