Grapes of Wrath

As we have begun the reading of Steinbeck's famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath, and after having been introduced to the dust bowl, hoovervilles, the Okies, and the fertile valley of California, we can appreciate the vivid details that have helped readers to a part of this Westward journey.  It was extremely rough as many people died or got ill during the long trip.  They were subject to robberies, and women were sometimes mistreated.  However, these people were survivors.  The question is:  Although many people survived the move westward in hopes of finding their dreams, the disappointments were many.  The disillusionment was horrifying when they discovered that their dreams were not waiting for them as they expected.  Think of another situation that might compare to this - either from fiction or from real life that you can relate.  What were the hardships?  How were the dreams realized or were they dissolved?

Thanatopsis

Please review some of your favorite lines in Bryant's "Thanatopsis".  Then use those lines to compare to other pieces of literature (poetry, short stories, novels, or non-fiction) that can be connected in some way.  You will be putting your analysis of the lines by relating them to other literature.  Good Luck!  This should be fun!