To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth
By Phillis Wheatley
Hail, happy day, when smiling like the morn,
Fair Freedom rose, New England to adorn,
The northern clime beneath her genial ray,
Dartmouth congratulates thy blissful sway,
Elated with hope, her race no longer mourns,
Each soul expands, each grateful bosom burns,
While in thy hand with pleasure we behold
The silken reins, and Freedom’s charms unfold.
Long lost to realms beneath the northern skies,
She shines supreme, while hated factions die:Soon as appeared the Goddess long desired,
Sick at the sight, she languished and expired;
Thus from the splendors of the morning light,
The owl in sadness seeks the caves of night.
No more, America, in mournful strain
Of wrongs, and grievances unredressed complain,
No longer shall you dread the iron chain,
Which wanton tyranny with lawless hand
Had made, and with it meant to enslave the land.Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song,
Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung,
Whence flow these wishes for the common good,
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate,
Was snatched from Africa’s fancied happy seat:
What pangs excruciating must molest,
What sorrows labor in my parent’s breast?
Steeled was that soul, and by no misery moved,
That from a father seized his babe beloved:
Such, such my case. And can I then but pray
Others may never feel tyrannic sway?For favors past, great Sir, our thanks are due,
And we ask thy favors to renew,
Since in thy power, as in thy will before,
To soothe the griefs, which thou didst once deplore.
May heavenly grace the sacred sanction give,
To all thy works, and may you live forever,
Not only on the wings of fleeting Fame,
Though praise immortal crowns the patriot’s name,
But to conduct to heaven’s refulgent fane,
May fiery coursers sweep the ethereal plain,
And bear thee upwards to that blessed abode,
Where, like the prophet, thou shalt find thy God.
Summary of “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth”
- Historical Context and Significance: “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth” by Phillis Wheatley is a significant poem published in her collection, Poems on Various Subjects, around 1773. It stands as a powerful plea for liberty, directed to a key figure who held influence over colonial policy. The poem uniquely intertwines the burgeoning American call for freedom from British rule with the deeply personal experience of a woman enslaved, creating a complex and moving statement. Its beauty resides in the skillful use of poetic form and vivid imagery.
- A Celebration of Freedom and an Appeal for Support: The poem opens with exuberant praise for the burgeoning freedom in New England. Wheatley personifies Freedom as a goddess, contrasting her radiant presence with the darkness of tyranny. This sets the stage for a direct appeal to Earl Dartmouth, acknowledging his past support and requesting his continued dedication to the cause of liberty.
- Wheatley’s Personal Narrative and Universal Call for Compassion: A critical turning point comes when Wheatley shares her own story of being forcibly removed from Africa as a child. This intensely personal account is not merely a lament; it is a powerful justification for her unwavering commitment to freedom and a poignant plea for compassion, not just for herself but for all those subjected to oppressive rule.
- Major Themes: The poem explores several key themes: the joy of liberation, the condemnation of tyranny, the universal desire for freedom, the importance of empathy, and the power of hope. Wheatley skillfully blends these themes, creating a layered and resonant work.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used In “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth”
Wheatley demonstrates a masterful command of literary devices, enriching the poem’s meaning and impact. These techniques aren’t merely ornamental; they are integral to the poem’s persuasive power.
- Allusion: Wheatley uses allusions to classical mythology, such as referring to “fiery coursers” that evoke images of divine chariots, and to biblical figures like “the prophet,” adding layers of meaning and grandeur. These references elevate Dartmouth to a near-mythic status and implicitly connect his actions to a higher purpose.
- Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, creates a musicality that draws the reader in. For example, notice the repetition of the “e” sound in “Fair Freedom rose, New England to adorn,” or the “o” sound in “Not only on the wings of fleeting Fame.”
- Alliteration: The use of alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, adds emphasis and rhythm. Observe instances like “Hail, happy day” and “Steeled was that soul.”
- Consonance: Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds within words, contributes to the poem’s sonic texture. For instance, “Each soul expands, each grateful bosom burns” demonstrates the use of consonance.
- Enjambment: Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, creates a sense of flow and momentum. This technique is prevalent throughout the poem, particularly in lines like:
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatched from Africa’s fancied happy seat: - Imagery: Wheatley employs vivid imagery to evoke emotional responses. Phrases like “smiling like the morn” and “iron chain” create powerful visual representations of freedom and oppression.
- Personification: The personification of Freedom as a goddess gives the concept a tangible and majestic quality. The poem breathes life into abstract ideas, making them more relatable and compelling.
- Symbolism: Symbols like the “iron chain” represent tyranny and enslavement, while “silken reins” symbolize enlightened leadership. These symbols add depth and complexity to the poem’s message.
- Simile: Similes, using “like” or “as” to make comparisons, enhance the poem’s descriptive power. For example, “Hail, happy day, when smiling like the morn” creates a cheerful and optimistic atmosphere.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth”
Wheatley skillfully employs several poetic devices to achieve her rhetorical goals.
- Diction and Tone: The poem features elevated diction, reflecting the formal conventions of 18th century poetry. The tone is a blend of reverence, hope, and earnest pleading.
- Rhyme Scheme: Wheatley primarily uses a heroic couplet rhyme scheme (AABB), creating a sense of order and musicality.
- Heroic Couplet: The consistent use of heroic couplets reinforces the poem’s formal structure and contributes to its stately rhythm.
- Stanza: The poem is organized into quatrains, or four line stanzas, providing a clear and balanced structure.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth” are particularly resonant when discussing the personal cost of oppression and the universal desire for freedom.
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatched from Africa’s fancied happy seat:
What pangs excruciating must molest,
What sorrows labor in my parent’s breast?
This powerful passage encapsulates the profound emotional impact of slavery and serves as a moving testament to the resilience of the human spirit.