A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. an Infant o

Name: A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. an Infant of Twelve Months
Author: Phillis Wheatley

The poem is a lamentation of the infant's untimely death and serves as a tribute to the child's innocence and beauty. It explores themes of mortality, grief, and the transience of life. The speaker expresses sorrow at the loss of the child and reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence. The poem employs traditional poetic forms and conventions, such as rhyme and meter, to convey its emotional tone. Wheatley's use of language is characterized by its lyricism and musicality, which adds to the overall sense of pathos and melancholy. Through her poetry, Wheatley explores the complexities of human experience, including the pain of loss and the fragility of life. The poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to express and process difficult emotions. The infant's death is portrayed as a tragic event that has left a void in the lives of those who loved them. The speaker reflects on the child's brief existence and the memories they have created, highlighting the bittersweet nature of human experience. Wheatley's poem also touches on themes of faith and the afterlife, suggesting that the infant's soul has been taken to a better place. This idea is conveyed through imagery and metaphor, adding depth and complexity to the poem's emotional resonance. The poem's structure and form are carefully crafted to convey its emotional tone and explore its themes. Wheatley's use of language and poetic devices creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, drawing the reader into the speaker's world of grief and sorrow. Ultimately, the poem is a powerful expression of human emotion and a testament to the enduring power of art to process and express difficult experiences.

By Phillis Wheatley · First published 1773 · Genre: Elegy, Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 525 words

First lines

Through airy roads he wings his instant flight

To purer regions of celestial light; Enlarg'd he sees unnumber'd systems roll, Beneath him sees the universal whole, Planets on planets run their destin'd round, And circling wonders fill the vast profound.

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A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. an Infant of Twelve Months is listed on Textopian as a poem by Phillis Wheatley, dated 1773 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Phillis Wheatley
Date: 1773 CE
Language: English
Genres: Elegy, Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Childhood Poetry, Philosophical Poetry
Length: 525 words
Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Elegy — The poem mourns the death of an infant, expressing sorrow and reflection on loss.
Religious Poetry — It explores themes of faith, the afterlife, and divine comfort in the context of death.
Lyric Poetry — The poem conveys personal emotions and thoughts, focusing on the speaker's feelings about the infant's death.
Childhood Poetry — It centers on the life and death of a child, highlighting innocence and the fragility of life.