Question

Early in the poem “Thanatopis” Nature is an example of personification, as it is given human qualities and characteristics. Does Bryant present Nature as male or femaleWhy do suppose Bryant chose this gender?

Answer 1

Byrant in "Thanatopsis" presents nature as a female.

It is because he thinks nature like a woman (mother, wife, sister, daughter) is caring and nurturing. It comforts us when we think about facing death.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Thanatopsis" is one of the masterpieces by William Cullen Bryant (1794 - 1878), an American romantic poet. The word Thanatopsis" is derived from Greek words "Thanatos" (death) and "opsis" (view, sight). The poem is about death but the concept of death is made less terrifying by caring and soothing nature which tells the speaker that everyone has to die, and that no one would be alone after death. All human beings every living thing will come back and mix in the earth and with the nature.

Byrant makes nature a female character because for him nature is caring, beautiful, has sweet voice of gladness and a smile.

"A various language; for his gayer hours

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile

And eloquence of beauty, and she glides

Into his darker musings, with a mild"