To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady
The poem is a lamentation of the deaths of three young people: the Lady's brother and sister, and her one-year-old child Avis. It expresses sorrow and grief at their untimely passing, using imagery and metaphor to convey the depth of the family's loss. The speaker reflects on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, while also acknowledging the pain and suffering that it brings to those left behind.
By Phillis Wheatley · First published 1773 · Genre: Elegy, Poetry, Religious · 375 words
First lines
On Death's domain intent I fix my eyes, Where human nature in vast ruin lies: With pensive mind I search the drear abode, Where the great conqu'ror has his spoils bestow'd; There where the offspring of six thousand years
In endless numbers to my view appears: Whole kingdoms in his gloomy den are thrust, And nations mix with their primeval dust: Insatiate still he gluts the ample tomb; His is the present, his the age to come.
What this Textopian page supports
To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady's Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, Aged One Year is listed on Textopian as a poem by Phillis Wheatley, dated 1773 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Phillis Wheatley
- Date: 1773 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Elegy, Poetry, Religious, Lament, Philosophical
- Length: 375 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady's Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, Aged One Year by Phillis Wheatley
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- To A Lady On The Death Of Three Relations by Phillis Wheatley
- To The Honourable T H Esq On The Death Of His Daughter by Phillis Wheatley
- To A Lady And Her Children On The Death Of Her Son And Their Brother by Phillis Wheatley
- To A Lady On The Death Of Her Husband by Phillis Wheatley
- On The Death Of The Rev Mr George Whitefield 1770 by Phillis Wheatley
- On The Death Of Dr Samuel Marshall 1771 by Phillis Wheatley
Genres
- Elegy — The work mourns the loss of loved ones, reflecting on death and the emotions associated with grief.
- Poetry — The text is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure typical of the genre.
- Religious — The themes of divine will, the afterlife, and spiritual comfort are central to the text.
- Lament — The work expresses sorrow and lamentation over the deaths of family members.
Tags
Elegy · Poetry · Mourning · Grief · Loss · Death · Family · Siblings · Childhood · Infant Mortality · Tribute · Condolence
More by Phillis Wheatley
- To Maecenas (1733)
- On Virtue (1773)
- To the University of Cambridge, in New-England (1737)
- To the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1768 (1773)
- On being Brought from Africa to America (1773)
- On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell. 1769 (1773)
- On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1770 (1770)
- On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age (1773)
- All works by Phillis Wheatley