“To His Excellency, General Washington” By Phillis Wheatley

Introduction Wheatley prefaces the poem with a letter to Washington. Lavishes praises on Washington and his “great cause” Reader can predict the tone of the poem will be formal if it is anything like the letter.

Personification In lines 1-4, Wheatley introduces Columbia, the goddess of liberty – a personification of America. In lines 29-34, Wheatley cites the French and Indian War as proof of what Columbia’s fury can do (a warning to the British). In the conclusion of the poem, Wheatley asks the goddess of liberty to guide Washington in his actions and decisions.

Personification (cont.) In lines 13-22, the sky and ocean are given human qualities. Eolus is the personification of the wind (Greek god of the winds). The “Astonish’d ocean” beats the shore in “wild uproar.” Line 35 speaks of “Britannia” – which is Great Britain personified as a goddess.

Other Literary Elements The poem is written in heroic couplets Couplet – two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme Heroic Couplet – has a specific meter called iambic pentameter Rhetorical question is asked in line 23. What is the point made by this question?

Justification of “cause” In lines 32-34, Wheatley states that the colonists are defended by God and that the “eyes of nations” are “fix’d on the scales” of justice. The world hopes to see America be the victor.