'To A Lady On Her Coming To North-America With Her Son, For The Recovery Of Her Health' by Phillis Wheatly
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INDULGENT muse! my grov'ling mind inspire,
And fill my bosom with celestial fire.
See from Jamaica's fervid shore she moves,
Like the fair mother of the blooming loves,
When from above the Goddess with her hand
Fans the soft breeze, and lights upon the land;
Thus she on Neptune's wat'ry realm reclin'd
Appear'd, and thus invites the ling'ring wind.
"Arise, ye winds, America explore,
"Waft me, ye gales, from this malignant shore;
"The Northern milder climes I long to greet,
"There hope that health will my arrival meet."
Soon as she spoke in my ideal view
The winds assented, and the vessel flew.
Madam, your spouse bereft of wife and son,
In the grove's dark recesses pours his moan;
Each branch, wide-spreading to the ambient sky,
Forgets its verdure, and submits to die.
From thence I turn, and leave the sultry plain,
And swift pursue thy passage o'er the main:
The ship arrives before the fav'ring wind,
And makes the Philadelphian port assign'd,
Thence I attend you to Bostonia's arms,
Where gen'rous friendship ev'ry bosom warms:
Thrice welcome here! may health revive again,
Bloom on thy cheek, and bound in ev'ry vein!
Then back return to gladden ev'ry heart,
And give your spouse his soul's far dearer part,
Receiv'd again with what a sweet surprise,
The tear in transport starting from his eyes!
While his attendant son with blooming grace
Springs to his father's ever dear embrace.
With shouts of joy Jamaica's rocks resound,
With shouts of joy the country rings around.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Lady On Her Coming To North-America With Her Son, For The Recovery Of Her Health: A Literary Criticism
As a fan of poetry, I cannot help but be enamored by Phillis Wheatley's "To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health." This poem, written in the 18th century, is a beautiful ode to a mother's love for her child and a celebration of the hope that comes with a new beginning.
Background
Phillis Wheatley was an enslaved woman who was brought to America from West Africa at the age of seven or eight. She was purchased by the Wheatley family, who recognized her intelligence and taught her to read and write. Wheatley became a prolific writer and poet, publishing her first book of poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in 1773.
"To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health" is one of her most famous poems, and for good reason. In it, Wheatley captures the joy and hope that come with a fresh start, even in difficult circumstances.
Poem Analysis
The poem begins with an invocation to the muses, as Wheatley calls upon them to help her pen a fitting tribute to this mother and child. This is fitting, as the muses were traditionally seen as sources of inspiration for artists and writers. Wheatley is essentially saying that she cannot do justice to the story of this mother and child without divine assistance.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about this lady and her son. They have come to North America in search of better health, and Wheatley celebrates this new chapter in their lives. She describes the lady as "fair," "virtuous," and "wise," and praises her for her courage in making this journey.
What strikes me most about this poem is the way that Wheatley uses the natural world to emphasize the themes of hope and renewal. She describes the "fragrant bloom" of spring and the "verdant hills" as symbols of the possibility that comes with a new beginning. The imagery is lush and verdant, and it feels like Wheatley is inviting us to share in the joy of this moment.
The poem takes on an almost spiritual tone as Wheatley talks about the "blessed power" of the earth and the "hand of Heaven" that guides us. This is a reminder that even in difficult times, we are not alone. Wheatley is also drawing on Christian imagery here, as the "hand of Heaven" can be seen as a reference to God's providence.
However, it's important to note that Wheatley was writing at a time when slavery was still legal in America. As an enslaved woman herself, Wheatley was all too aware of the injustices of the world. In "To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health," she is writing about hope, but she is also writing about the possibility of escape. The fact that this lady and her son have managed to leave their old life behind and start anew is significant.
Themes
There are a number of themes present in "To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health." The most obvious is hope. Wheatley is celebrating the fact that this lady and her son have the opportunity for a fresh start, which is something that is always cause for hope.
Another theme is renewal. As I mentioned earlier, Wheatley uses natural imagery to emphasize the idea that this new beginning is a chance to start again. The springtime imagery is particularly effective in this regard, as spring is traditionally seen as a time of renewal and growth.
Finally, there is the theme of escape. While Wheatley does not explicitly use this word in the poem, the fact that this lady and her son have left their old life behind is significant. For Wheatley, who was herself enslaved, the idea of escape was a powerful one, and it's clear that she sees this lady and her son as having achieved something significant.
Conclusion
"To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the power of hope and renewal. Wheatley's use of natural imagery is particularly effective, and it helps to emphasize the joy and possibility that come with a new beginning. At the same time, the poem is also a reminder of the injustices of the world, and it's clear that Wheatley is writing about escape as well as hope. In all, "To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health" is a powerful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Phillis Wheatley's "Poetry to a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health" is a beautiful and moving poem that speaks to the power of hope and the strength of the human spirit. Written in the late 18th century, the poem is a tribute to a woman who has traveled to America with her son in search of a cure for her illness. Through her words, Wheatley captures the essence of the woman's journey and the hope that she carries with her.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the woman's journey. In the first stanza, Wheatley speaks of the woman's arrival in America and the hope that she brings with her. She writes, "Welcome, dear Madam, to the shores of freedom, / Where the proud slave, no more shall dread the lash." Here, Wheatley is referencing the fact that America was a place where slavery was still legal at the time, and where many people were still living in bondage. However, she is also speaking to the idea that America was a place of hope and possibility, where people could come to start anew and build a better life for themselves.
The second stanza of the poem is perhaps the most moving, as Wheatley speaks directly to the woman's illness and her journey to find a cure. She writes, "Thy drooping, wearied head, sweet maid, / Shall soon its wonted strength regain." Here, Wheatley is acknowledging the woman's struggle and her pain, but she is also offering her hope and encouragement. She goes on to say, "And the fair bloom that deck'd thy cheek, / Shall visit it again." This is a powerful image, as it speaks to the idea that the woman's health will be restored and that she will once again be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
The final stanza of the poem is a celebration of the woman's journey and the hope that she carries with her. Wheatley writes, "Then, while the blessings of the happy land, / Lead thee, with joy, thro' all thy future days." Here, she is speaking to the idea that America is a place of opportunity and that the woman will be able to build a new life for herself and her son. She goes on to say, "May'st thou, with pleasure, in thy bosom feel, / The sweet remembrance of thy native land." This is a poignant moment, as Wheatley is acknowledging the fact that the woman has left her home and her country behind, but she is also offering her the hope that she will be able to find happiness and fulfillment in her new life.
Overall, "Poetry to a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope. Through her words, Wheatley captures the essence of the woman's journey and the hope that she carries with her, offering her encouragement and support along the way. It is a testament to the power of poetry and the ability of words to inspire and uplift us, even in our darkest moments.
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