illustrated portrait of Phillis Wheatley

To His Excellency General Washington

by Phillis Wheatley

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To His Excellency General Washington

Phillis Wheatley's "To His Excellency General Washington" celebrates themes of patriotism and heroism, comparing General Washington to classical heroes. The poem is structured in heroic couplets,...

2 educator answers

To His Excellency General Washington

In "To His Excellency General Washington," Phillis Wheatley shows that God favors and aids the cause of American independence by invoking the "Celestial choir"; by associating Columbia with a...

3 educator answers

To His Excellency General Washington

In "To His Excellency General Washington," Phillis Wheatley uses personification to imbue abstract concepts with human qualities, notably personifying America as "Columbia," a goddess-like figure who...

3 educator answers

To His Excellency General Washington

Phillis Wheatley emerges as a patriotic voice in Revolutionary America through her poem "To His Excellency General Washington" by using epic and divine language to describe America. She portrays...

1 educator answer

To His Excellency General Washington

In "To His Excellency General Washington," Phyllis Wheatley uses natural phenomena to depict the American army's strength and movement. She compares the army to Eolus, the god of the wind, whose...

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To His Excellency General Washington

The phrase "see the bright beams of heaven's revolving light" in Wheatley's poem juxtaposes light and darkness to symbolize the struggle and eventual triumph of America. Light represents goodness and...

1 educator answer

To His Excellency General Washington

Wheatley connects George Washington and Columbia by portraying both as universal forces embodying idealism and divine purpose. She presents Columbia as a symbol of America, representing a celestial...

1 educator answer