Thanatopsis, By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” He means that it's easy to flow with the crowd, but he respects the man who stays true to his own values when pushed into a crowd. Romanticism is a movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 17th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. People began to feel dubious, this new-found pessimistic view challenged individuals and the hope of the 17th century. People felt concerned for the metaphysical aspects of life, death, and eternity, this is how romanticism emerged. Romanticism was a revolt against the order of things, against strict laws and rules. The romantics focused on imagination over
It conveys the idea that death is not the end, but a continuum that allows the deceased to become one with nature. Another crucial focal point is the individualism element. The poem tells of a final resting place in heaven, which contributes to the spiritual element of romanticism. An example of romanticism in the poem is, “ And, lost each human trace, surrendering up thine individual being, shalt thou go to mix for ever with the element”. This shows individualism and how each individual loses their true selves and become one with nature. The romanticism emerges when the author sees things in nature beyond what is there. Another example, “ Of the great tomb of man. The Golden sun, the planets, all the infinite host of heaven.” This quote shows the spiritual characteristic of romanticism because it speaks of eternity and a final resting place in heaven with God. It envelopes nature's essence and how when people die they return to the Earth to merge with