Throughout the history of American literature, an individuals' perception of death reflects upon his approach towards life. In Jonathan Edwards' Puritan revival, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", Herman Melville's realistic story, "Benito Cereno", Emily Dickinson's melancholic poem, "712", and William Cullen Bryant's Transcendental poem, "Thanatopsis", distinct representations of death greatly affect several individuals' actions. Jonathan Edwards, a prominent leader of the Great Awakening, depicts death as a formidable punishment in "Sinners in the …showed first 75 words of 1276 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1276 total…amp;lt;Tab/>"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"," Benito Careen "," 712" and "Thanatopsis" all convey an individual's view of death, which profoundly alters their lives. Likewise, one's religious state affects his take on death, making his life either a pleasurable experience, never ending misery, or an insignificant nothingness. Furthermore, as time progresses the individual becomes less involved with formal religion, which renders his perception of death non affective upon his life.