'To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother' by Phillis Wheatly


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O'ERWHELMING sorrow now demands my song:
From death the overwhelming sorrow sprung.
What flowing tears?What hearts with grief opprest?
What sighs on sighs heave the fond parent's breast?
The brother weeps, the hapless sisters join
Th' increasing woe, and swell the crystal brine;
The poor, who once his gen'rous bounty fed,
Droop, and bewail their benefactor dead.
In death the friend, the kind companion lies,
And in one death what various comfort dies!
Th' unhappy mother sees the sanguine rill
Forget to flow, and nature's wheels stand still,
But see from earth his spirit far remov'd,
And know no grief recals your best-belov'd:
He, upon pinions swifter than the wind,
Has left mortality's sad scenes behind
For joys to this terrestial state unknown,
And glories richer than the monarch's crown.
Of virtue's steady course the prize behold!
What blissful wonders to his mind unfold!
But of celestial joys I sing in vain:
Attempt not, muse, the too advent'rous strain.
No more in briny show'rs, ye friends around,
Or bathe his clay, or waste them on the ground:
Still do you weep, still wish for his return?
How cruel thus to wish, and thus to mourn?
No more for him the streams of sorrow pour,
But haste to join him on the heav'nly shore,
On harps of gold to tune immortal lays,
And to your God immortal anthems raise.


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Heartfelt Ode to Loss: A Literary Criticism of Phillis Wheatley's "To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother"

As human beings, loss is one of the most difficult emotions we have to deal with. It can be devastating, and often leaves us feeling alone, broken, and confused. But through the centuries, poets have attempted to put into words the experience of loss, trying to capture the essence of this powerful emotion. One such poet was Phillis Wheatley, an African American woman who was brought to America as a slave and later became the first published African American author. In her poem "To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother," Wheatley addresses the universal theme of loss, creating a moving tribute to a young life cut short.

Background

Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa in 1753, and was kidnapped and brought to America as a slave when she was only seven years old. She was purchased by a wealthy Boston family, who taught her to read and write. At the age of 13, Wheatley began writing poetry, and her work quickly gained recognition. In 1773, she published her first book of poems, which included "To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother."

Analysis

Wheatley's poem begins with a description of the young boy's life. The first stanza is full of images of childhood innocence and joy, with references to the boy's "infant play" and "smiling years." The use of the word "smiling" is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of happiness and warmth that is immediately contrasted with the sadness that follows.

The second stanza moves from the joy of childhood to the reality of death. Wheatley uses powerful imagery to describe the young boy's passing, including the "fatal dart" that strikes him down and the "damp cold earth" that will now be his final resting place. The use of the word "damp" is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of darkness and gloom that mirrors the feelings of the mourners.

The third stanza is a direct address to the mother and siblings of the boy. Wheatley acknowledges their grief and tells them that she feels their pain. She uses the phrase "the mournful scene" to describe the funeral, and then again contrasts the sadness of the occasion with the joy of the boy's life. She reminds the mourners that the boy is now in a better place, and that they will one day be reunited with him.

The final stanza is a plea for comfort and peace. Wheatley asks God to console the mourners and to help them find peace in their loss. She uses the phrase "sooth the sorrows of their hearts" to describe the comfort they need, and ends the poem with a hopeful note, reminding the mourners that they will one day be reunited with their loved one in heaven.

Interpretation

Through her poem, Wheatley creates a powerful tribute to a young life cut short. She captures the innocence and joy of childhood, and then contrasts it with the sadness and finality of death. She acknowledges the pain of the mourners, and offers them hope and comfort through the promise of heaven.

But beyond the specific subject matter of the poem, Wheatley's work can be seen as a reflection of the African American experience. As a slave, Wheatley herself experienced loss and separation from loved ones. Through her poem, she gives voice to the pain of those who have suffered loss, and reminds us of the importance of finding hope and comfort in the face of tragedy.

Conclusion

Phillis Wheatley's "To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother" is a moving tribute to the experience of loss. Through her powerful imagery and heartfelt words, Wheatley captures the essence of this powerful emotion, creating a work that speaks to all of us who have suffered loss. In her poem, Wheatley reminds us of the importance of finding hope and comfort in the face of tragedy, and gives voice to the pain of those who have experienced loss. Her work is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and to connect us to each other through the shared language of the heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother is a heart-wrenching poem written by Phillis Wheatly, a former slave who became the first published African American female poet. The poem was written in 1778 and is dedicated to a lady and her children who have lost their son and brother. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of this classic poem.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza is an expression of sympathy and condolences to the lady and her children. Wheatly writes, "Mourn not, my friends, nor be ye grieved too much, / For him who, dying, thus fulfill'd his fate." Here, Wheatly is trying to console the family by reminding them that their loved one has fulfilled his destiny and that they should not mourn excessively. She goes on to say, "He knew to live, but not afraid to die, / And left his country for his God on high." This line is a reference to the fact that the young man died fighting in the American Revolutionary War, which was fought for the country's independence. Wheatly is trying to convey that the young man died a hero's death, fighting for a noble cause.

The second stanza is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. Wheatly writes, "Life is a span, a fleeting hour, / How soon the vapor flies!" Here, she is reminding the family that life is short and that they should cherish the memories they have of their loved one. She goes on to say, "Man is a tender plant, a flower, / That e'en in blooming dies." This line is a metaphor for the young man's life, which was cut short in its prime. Wheatly is trying to convey that life is fragile and that we should appreciate every moment we have with our loved ones.

The third and final stanza is a message of hope and faith. Wheatly writes, "But let not memory lost her power, / Nor leave the senses dark." Here, she is urging the family to remember their loved one and to keep his memory alive. She goes on to say, "Life still is on the wing to hour, / That bears us to the dead." This line is a reminder that death is inevitable and that we should make the most of the time we have. Wheatly ends the poem with the following lines, "Where he, beyond our mortal sight, / Enjoys eternal rest." Here, she is trying to convey that the young man is in a better place, where he is at peace and free from the troubles of this world.

One of the most striking literary devices used in this poem is the use of metaphors. Wheatly uses metaphors to convey the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. For example, in the second stanza, she compares life to a "tender plant" and a "flower" that dies even in its blooming. This metaphor is a powerful reminder that life is short and that we should appreciate every moment we have with our loved ones.

Another literary device used in this poem is alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words in a sentence or phrase. For example, in the first stanza, Wheatly writes, "Mourn not, my friends, nor be ye grieved too much." Here, the repetition of the "m" sound creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, which is appropriate for the subject matter of the poem.

The historical context of this poem is also important to consider. Phillis Wheatly was a former slave who was brought to America from Africa when she was a child. She was sold to a wealthy family in Boston, where she was taught to read and write. Wheatly became a prominent figure in the American Revolution, where she wrote poems in support of the Patriots' cause. The young man who died in the poem was likely fighting for the Patriots' cause, which is why Wheatly refers to him as a hero.

In conclusion, Poetry To A Lady And Her Children, On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and faith. Wheatly's use of metaphors and alliteration creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, which is appropriate for the subject matter of the poem. The historical context of the poem is also important to consider, as it sheds light on the life of Phillis Wheatly, a former slave who became the first published African American female poet. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex emotions and ideas.

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