Ethan Lynch

Ms. Adams

English III Honors

9 May 2014

Partner Poetry Analysis

1. From the title of this poem, readers predict that this poem will directly address George

Washington and either praise or criticize him. Readers also infer from his title “General

Washington” that he is in position of military power.

2. In the beginning of the poem, Wheatley focusses on the grave state of the American

colonies entrenched the Revolutionary War, personifying America as the goddess, Columbia.

3. In the end, Wheatley ardently praises General Washington, the American colonies’

leader, encouraging him onward despite heavy losses, and stating that Columbia will flank the

leader and shall help to boost his and his fledgling nation’s spirit.

4. The poem is divided into 3 main sections. In the beginning, Wheatley talks about how

America is the essence of freedom. In the middle section, Wheatley refers to the war between

the colonies and Britain. She compares the American forces to the Greek forces of Eolus, the

king of the winds. At the end of the poem, Wheatley lauds Washington and pushes the general

to continue his fight against the British. She impels Washington to keep fighting for hopes of

freedom and liberty.

5. The tone of this poem is reverent, animated, audacious and visionary.

 6. Wheatley’s depiction of the goddess, Columbia, particularly stands out in this

poem. Wheatley not only describes her physically, but describes her state as the war rages on,

personifying her further.

Part 2:

1. The speaker of the poem is writing praise of Columbia and her armies. The speaker

also describes the events occurring around her/him in epic proportions, referring to Classical

Greek and Roman mythology. The speaker also directly addresses General Washington in a

respectful way, praising his virtues, and encouraging him to continue onward. The voice is un-

dramaticized, as the speaker is sans name or identity.

2. The subject of the poem is the ongoing conflict between the American colonists and

the over freedom and liberty. This conflict is represented in the poem by Columbia, a figurative

representation of America, and her children against the British, personified by Brittannia). The

problem posed is England’s thirst for power and the ongoing cost of war. The poet infers the

conflict will end if the American General Washington lets the spirit of Columbia guide him.

3. The poem uses imagery through sensory language that beckons the reader with visual

descriptions of the epic events occurring. Wheatley uses loaded language to describe the

weather and the goddess, Columbia, further evoking an image in the mind of the reader. People

see hills of dead produced by England that elicit rage. Wheatley’s poem uses multiple allusions,

referring to Eolus, the Greek God of the winds. Ultimately, by using so much descriptive

language and figures of speech in her poem, Wheatley conjures feelings of

American pride and perseverance in the face of impalpable adversity.

 4. The poem has a formal rhyme scheme of couplets. This formation of the verses

creates an elegant and dramatic ambiance that helps to further drive Wheatley’s imagery. The

Neoclassical style and formal language invokes rationalist ideas in the audience, a sense of

liberty and truth. The constant use of consonance and assonance in her phrases adds a simple

aestheticism to the poem, making it even more pleasing to the ear.

5. The ideology of the poetry is primarily that of the Rationalists; Columbia’s self-

reliance will bring her and her children (Americans’) greatness; freedom is what they yen for and

is the ultimate reward. This poem justifies the American cause. While Britannia is haggard and

sullen, her power at an ebb, America is strong, galvanized into action, and deserving of

independence. In this poem, Wheatley honors Washington and the courage he and his army

display and rallies the reader to support him. This poem says that strong will and determination

shall triumph, reflecting Wheatley’s vision of the human condition. As a former slave, herself,

Wheatley is very much endowed with a love of freedom, having experienced confinement and

struggle in her past.

Individual Response:

“To His Excellency General Washington,” by Phyllis Wheatley, exemplifies the

American Foundations period, an era of enlightenment, reason, and self-reliance. This rationalist

period had a uniquely significant influence on America, fueled by the desire for independence

from Britain and sparking such milestones of history as the Declaration of Independence. In this

poem, Wheatley rejects British authority over America, praises the efforts of General

Washington and his soldiers, and depicts the majesty of America and its patriotism. This can be

seen in the passage: “Thee [Washington], first in peace and honors—we demand ... the grace and
glory of thy martial band. Fam’d for thy valour, for thy virtues more, Hear every tongue thy

guardian aid implore!"

Rationalism was part of the broader Neoclassical movement, which was prominent in the

18th Century, and which Wheatley’s poem exemplifies. For example, when she invokes the

“Celestial Choir” and the “Muse” at the beginning of her poem, Wheatley is adhering to the

classical style of writers such as Homer, a dominant influence of this new

movement. Neoclassical poets like Wheatley often used allusions in their writing, evoking

religious, biblical, classical, and mythological references. The references to Eolus (or Aeolus),

the Greek God of Wind, and Celtic Gaul warriors are clear example of this. Also in the

Neoclassical spirit, Wheatley envisions the goddess, Columbia, her representation of America,

who comes adorned in “Olive and laurel.” Columbia is both guiding and protecting General

Washington in his endeavors, and personifies peace, victory, and the beauty and strength of

America.

Example from Poem

Poetic Device

Allusion “As when Eolus heaven’s fair face deforms,”

This line is a reference to Greek Mythology, Eolus (or Aeolus) is the

Greek God of Winds

“When Gallic powers Columbia’s fury found” Refers to the Celtic Gauls

who broke away from the Roman Empire to form their own state
 “Muse!” and “Celestial Choir!” are allusions to Greek poetry, wherein

poets would call upon the aid of Calliope, Muse of Epic Poetry

“Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,” Britannia is the

personification of the Island of Britain

Apostrophe “Muse! Bow propitious while my pen relates...”

“Enough thou know’st them in the fields of fight.

Thee, first in peace and honors—we demand

The grace and glory of thy martial band.

Fam’d for thy valour, for thy virtues more,

Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore!”

“ … And so may you, whoever dares disgrace

The land of freedom’s heaven-defended race”

“Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,

Thy ev’ry action let the Goddess guide.

A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,

With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine.”

Connotation/ “She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.”

Denotation (denotation: awe inspiring / connotation: terrible)

“Columbia’s scenes of glorious toils I write.”

(denotation: honored, noble / connotation: wonderful, fantastic)

Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late.

(denotation: infinite, endless / connotation: negative, excessive)

Euphemism Columbia’s scenes of “glorious toils” I write. (Toils meaning war)

In bright array they seek the “work of war” (combat)

Enough thou know’st them in the “fields of fight” (battlefields)

Personification “See mother earth her offspring’s fate bemoan”

“Astonish’d ocean feels the wild uproar ...

The refluent surges beat the sounding shore”

And nations gaze at scenes before unknown!

“One century scarce perform’d its destined round”

“Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,”

For in their hopes Columbia’s arm prevails.

When Gallic powers Columbia’s fury found;

Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,

As when Eolus heaven’s fair face deforms,

Ah! Cruel blindness to Columbia’s state!

“Ensign waves in air” (ensign means flag)

Alliteration See the bright beams

propitious while my pen

fair face deforms

surges beat the sounding shore

work of war

fields of fight

grace and glory

valour, for thy virtues

fury found

dares disgrace

Goddess guide

Rhyme Scheme (Heroic Couplets) AABBCCDDEEFF......TT

“A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,

With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine.”

Form closed - couplet

Open

Closed

Free verse

Metonymy “Fix’d are the eyes of nations on the scales,”

“eyes of nations” is substituted for foreign leaders and their peoples

Onomatopoeia N/A
Consonance flashes dreadful in refulgent

bright beams

dares disgrace

fair face deforms

Goddess guide

fury found

propitious while my pen

surges beat the sounding shore

Such, and so many, moves the warrior’s

thou know’st them in the fields of fight.

grace and glory

valour, for thy virtues

perform’d its destined round

work of war

dares disgrace

Assonance nations gaze

fair face

heaven-defended

pensive head

Figurative “Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,

Meaning/ While round increase the rising hills of dead.”

Literal Meaning FIGURATIVE: Piles of dead bodies are rising around Britannia
 LITERAL: Leaders of Great Britain have killed many people in other

countries

Simile/Metaphor “How pour her armies through a thousand gates,

As when Eolus heaven’s fair face deforms,”

Wheatley is showing a relationship between the power of the American

forces and those of Eolus, Greek God of Winds, who stirs up a tempest.

“Olive and laurel binds Her golden hair”

Wheatley is using the binds of laurel and olive to represent the peace

America is trying to bring.

Imagery Visual: “See the bright beams of heaven’s revolving light” - Readers can

Visual visualize the rays of light shining on the Earth below.

Auditory Visual: A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,

Tactile With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! Be thine.

Gustatory Visual: Celestial choir! enthron’d in realms of light,

Olfactory Visual: How pour her armies through a thousand gates,

Visual: Where high unfurl’d the ensign waves in air

Visual:Anon Britannia droops the pensive head,

Visual: While round increase the rising hills of dead.

 Auditory: “See mother earth her offspring’s fate bemoan” Readers can

imagine the Earth howling or moaning”

Auditory: “Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore”

Visual, and Auditory: “Enwrapp’d in tempest and a night of storms;

Astonish’d ocean feels the wild uproar,

The refluent surges beat the sounding shore”

Hyperbole “How pour her armies through a thousand gates”

“A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,

With gold unfading, ...”

Oxymoron glorious toils

Pun N/A

Paradox Columbia’s scenes of glorious toils I write.

11 Questions

1. What is the tone of the poem?

Expected Answer: The tone is that of a righteous person speaking of the liberty America

expresses. This unidentified identity desires success for Washington and pushes him to

keep fighting.

2. Who is the speaker of the poem?

Expected Answer: An unidentified individual.

3. Who is Columbia and what does she stand for?

Expected answer: Columbia is a Goddess, who protects America and freedom.

(NOTE: At this point we’ll explain that Columbia represent America, Wheatley actually

created her as the Guardian of America. Columbia appears throughout American History as

allegorical figure)

4. What images does the poem evoke in the minds’ of the readers?

Expected Answer: America fighting the Revolutionary War; Columbia representing

America; Rays of light over a battlefield; Piles of dead bodies. Columbia endowing

Americans with pride and glory. In addition, readers will visualize the olive and laurel binds,

the Greek forces of Eolus and the shimmering battlefields of the Revolutionary War.

5. What is the central idea of the poem?

Expected Answer: The theme of the poem is to seek and capture freedom. If faced against an

adverse obstacle, one must acquire the power to push through and eventually claim freedom

for it is deserved.

6. How does the title affect a reader’s understanding/interpretation of the poem?

 Expected Answer: The title causes the reader to assume General Washington is someone of

utmost importance and that the language will be formal.

7. How does the rhyme scheme contribute to the meaning of the poem?

Expected Answer: The rhyme scheme helps create a sense of righteousness and unity

among the people of America and the idea to keep fighting.

8. How does this poem reflect the author's beliefs?

Expected Answer: The poem reflects the author’s beliefs because the author uses a lot of

shining, bright objects. For example, the author talks about shining rays of light which is a

reference to her African culture and their beliefs in the power of the Sun.

9. How does this poem relate to the life of an American in today’s society?

Expected Answer: This relates to modern-day Americans because it allows Americans to

cherish their past and the courageous, selfless actions of those who fought in the

Revolutionary War. This poem reminds modern Americans of their valiant past and the

foundations of America.

10. When the author uses the word dreadful as in “She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms” what

is she trying to convey?

Note: If the audience has trouble figuring out what the line means, we give this hint: flash in

refulgent arms means that she is armed.

Expected Answer: In this context, dreadful means awe-inspiring or reverence. It shows the

contrast between modern connotations and those of other periods.

11. As a neoclassical poet, Wheatley incorporates many allusion into her work. Can you name

any of her allusions, and can you tell what their significance is?
 Expected Answer: “Muse” and “Celestial Choir” both refer to elements of Classical Greek

and Roman poetry. Eolus is the Greek God of Winds and is significant because the

American armies are compared to his mighty force (i.e. tempests). Britannia is the God of

the Isle of Britain and is significant because she represents England being old, tired, and

worn out. Gallic powers refers to the fierce Celtic Gauls, warriors who broke free from

Roman rule and created their own state. Columbia represents America and her significance

is that she is guiding Washington and his troops to victory and protecting the country.

Ethan Lynch and Nick Rice

American Foundations- Up to the 1800s

1. When did France’s Montesquieu publish The Spirits of Laws (reflection of the US Constitution)?

A. 1692

B. 1721

C. 1748

D. 1776

2. Which era was Wheatley from?

A. Foundations

B. Romantic

C. Modern

D. Jurassic

3.England’s William Shakespeare writes two of his most popular plays named?

A. Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet

B. King Lear and Macbeth

C. A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hamlet

D. The Taming of the Shrew and Macbeth

4. What was the name of the ship Wheatley arrived on?

A. The Mayflower

B. The John Doe

C. The Black Pearl

D. The Phillis

5. In her poem, Wheatley used a large amount of which literary device to enhance her content for readers?

A. Allusion

B. Rhyme

C. Imagery

D. All of the above

6. This man was greatly against slavery and even published an anti slavery essay.

A. Phillis Wheatley

B. Samuel Taylor

C. John Woolman

D. William Shakespeare

7. “See the bright beams of heaven's resolving light” evokes what image?

A. The death of her husband

B. Rays of light shining down from the sky

C. Car beams

D. Major criticism towards her work from well respected artists

8. Wheatley greatly valued...

A. Classicism

B. Christianity

C. Hierophantic worship of the sun

D. All of the above

9. In 1721 this epidemic hit the popular city Boston killing many people as a result.

A. Smallpox epidemic

B. Swine flu

C. Black death

D. Common cold

10. Who did Wheatley marry?

A. John Smith

B. John Peterson

C. John Peters

D. Peter Johns