In this excerpt from the poem "Thanatopsis" by William Cullen Bryant, what is the meaning of the word swain?
Thine individual being, shalt thou go
To mix forever with the elements,
To be a brother to the insensible rock
And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain
Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oak
Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mold.
A. a young vineyard worker
B. a young boy who hunts wild animals
C. a young shepherd or country boy
D. a very unpleasant person
Thine individual being, shalt thou go
To mix forever with the elements,
To be a brother to the insensible rock
And to the sluggish clod, which the rude swain
Turns with his share, and treads upon. The oak
Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy mold.
A. a young vineyard worker
B. a young boy who hunts wild animals
C. a young shepherd or country boy
D. a very unpleasant person
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Answer:
C. a young shepherd or country boy.
Explanation:
The use of the word "swain" in this context emphasizes the connection between the speaker and the natural world, suggesting that death is not something to be feared, but is a natural part of the cycle of life and death.
Answer:
C. a young shepherd or country boy
Explanation:
The word "swain" is an archaic term for a young shepherd or country boy. In the context of the poem, the "rude swain" is a farmer or laborer who works the land, turning the soil with his plow and treading upon it. The use of the word "rude" suggests that the speaker views this work as rough or uncivilized, in contrast to the more refined existence of the speaker.