From the poem "Thanatopsis" by William Cullen Bryant:
What is the universal fact about death?
What specific comforts does nature give us, both in life and in death? Give specific examples.
According to Bryant, how should we approach death?
I need help getting started. Thanks!!
Some quotations to get you started:
All that breathe
Will share thy destiny.
(ll. 60-61)
In life:
Go forth, under the open sky, and list
To Nature’s teachings
(ll. 14-15)
["list" = listen]
In death:
sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him,
(ll. 79-82)
The details to support the second and third sets of lines are all over the place. You should have no trouble finding them.
First stanza describes someone who loves life and Nature, but who knows that someday he'll die.
Second and third stanzas describe what Bryant believes happens to the body (second) and soul (third) of everyone who has died and will die, which, of course, is everyone.
Fourth stanza tells why he should live life happily and shouldn't fear death.
=)
To answer the first question about the universal fact of death in the poem "Thanatopsis" by William Cullen Bryant, you can start by examining the lines "All that breathe will share thy destiny." These lines suggest that death is inevitable and that every living being will experience it.
For the second question regarding the specific comforts that nature provides us, both in life and in death, you can refer to the lines "Go forth, under the open sky, and list to Nature's teachings." This indicates that being in nature offers solace and guidance.
To provide examples of the comforts nature gives, you can explore various instances in the poem. For example, Bryant mentions how the earth embraces those who die, becoming their mother and nourishing them. He also describes how, in death, one becomes part of the natural cycle, returning to the elements from whence they came. These aspects of nature can bring comfort and a sense of belonging.
Moving on to the third question about how we should approach death according to Bryant, the lines "sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him" highlight his belief that we should face death with trust and acceptance. He suggests that we should approach death calmly and peacefully, much like the way one wraps himself in a comfortable blanket before going to sleep.
In summary, to answer these questions, you can start by re-reading the quotations provided and using them as a foundation for your response. Analyze the lines that mention the universal fact of death, the comforts nature provides, and the suggested approach to death. Additionally, explore other parts of the poem to find specific examples that support the given lines.