Freneau and Bryant

Philip Freneau and William Cullen Bryant are sentimental journalists of American writing. The common focus is that they have composed sentimental lyrics. If the two major works they composed are recorded; “The Indian Burying Ground” by Freneau and “Thanatopsis” by Bryant.

Freneau is sentimental. He considers America a separate country. He composes a few works focused on nature since he is sentimental. Also, he is America's first extraordinary patriot artist. He composed several long sonnets. Many of his brief works, including “The Indian Burying Ground,” deal with American subjects. In the first lines of the lyric, he states that he is refusing to acknowledge their conventions. Death can be seen by some as an endless rest, and that is why many societies lay the dead on their backs when they are buried. The first half of the lyric is about the burial ground itself, and the second half is about how one should treat and respect the burial ground. Freneau writes about someone who is dreadfully walking through the burial ground, sees the painted artifacts of the locals and the lances, and says that one should still bow and respect the spirits. Freneau writes about how the Native American conventions differ from Christian burial conventions and the connection the locals have with nature. In the lyrics, he seems to respect their conventions, even though at the start he says he still holds his previous opinion. It is very important to note that one can have varying views and opinions while still respecting and honoring a contrasting perspective.

Bryant is one of America's first naturalist poets. Bryant turned to nature as a source of idyllic inspiration. He is also sentimental, and he despises Puritans since they hate nature, in contrast to Bryant. Bryant loves nature and respects it. In some of Bryant's sonnets, his love of nature is adjusted to include the belief in a God who guides man's fate both in life and in death. God can be seen in nature, while man tries to become one with nature, which is evident through the cycle of life. As a transcendentalist, he and other writers embraced the concept of nature as a symbol. Nature in this poem is something that is divine and can be seen as an escape from society. "Thanatopsis," the title of his most famous nature poem, is a Greek word meaning "view of death." “Thanatopsis” presents the poet’s insights on death and its connections to nature. Nature brings her joy and comfort to those who love her. When people think of death, nature teaches them that everyone and everything must die and become a part of the soil once more. Bryant begins by discussing how nature makes a person feel superior. He states that we return to the soil after death and cease being an individual, and we will not be alone after death. The theme of "Thanatopsis" is death and man in nature. The poem addresses death and tells the audience that they should not worry about death. He presents nature and death as a sentimental figure.