To a Gentleman on his Voyage to Great-Britain fo
The poem is a tribute to a gentleman who has traveled to England for his health. It expresses the speaker's admiration for the gentleman and her hopes that he will recover from his illness. The poem also touches on themes of colonialism, identity, and the complexities of relationships between colonizers and colonized peoples.
By Phillis Wheatley · First published 1737 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Inspirational · 688 words
First lines
While others chant of gay Elysian scenes, Of balmy zephyrs, and of flow'ry plains, My song more happy speaks a greater name, Feels higher motives and a nobler flame.
For thee, O R -- -- , the muse attunes her strings, And mounts sublime above inferior things.
What this Textopian page supports
To a Gentleman on his Voyage to Great-Britain for the Recovery of his Health is listed on Textopian as a poem by Phillis Wheatley, dated 1737 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: 1737 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Inspirational, Religious, Travel Literature
- Length: 688 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Elegy — It reflects on themes of health, recovery, and the passage of life, often associated with elegiac poetry.
- Inspirational — The poem aims to uplift and inspire the subject towards recovery and virtue.
- Religious — It contains references to divine power and the role of God in healing and life.
Tags
Poem · Letter · Travel · Health · England · Colonialism · Slavery · African-American · 18th Century · Literary Satire · Social Commentary · Politics
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