In lyrical poetry like Phillis Wheatley's, figurative language plays a major role. In "Thoughts on the Works of Providence," Wheatley uses personification, a figure of speech that assigns human qualities to an animal or object. Which of these lines uses personification? Click the passage to see if your answer is correct.
| Ador'd for ever be the God unseen, Which round the sun revolves this vast machine, |
These lines describe how God moves the Earth around the Sun; they do not personify the spheres as human. |
| Or when the morning glows with rosy charms, Or the sun slumbers in the ocean's arms: |
These lines personify the morning, the Sun, and the ocean: The morning is like a charming, flushed young woman, and the Sun is like a person sleeping in the arms of the ocean. |
What effect does Wheatley create with the personification in the lines above?
Wheatley's use of personification makes the morning seem fresh and appealing and makes the night, when the Sun "slumbers," seem peaceful and gentle.
Use what you've learned about analyzing figurative language in previous lessons and courses. First, read the stanza below and look for examples of figurative language throughout. Then, answer the questions beside the poem.
How does Wheatley personify the night in this stanza?
- as a wise and cheerful god
- as a dark sable coat
- as a person pulling a veil over the world
- as a soldier saluting the day with a smile
Wheatley describes the night as drawing a veil over the world.
Wheatley describes the night as drawing a veil over the world.
Wheatley describes the night as drawing a veil over the world.
Wheatley describes the night as drawing a veil over the world.
How does Wheatley personify the Sun?
- as an eye in the sky
- as a manifestation of God
- as a powerful man who forces the night to leave
- as a cheerful god who wakes the sleeping people
Wheatley describes the Sun as gaily waking the sleepers.
Wheatley describes the Sun as gaily waking the sleepers.
Wheatley describes the Sun as gaily waking the sleepers.
Wheatley describes the Sun as gaily waking the sleepers.
In general, how is nature personified in this stanza?
- as tiring people with its energy
- as having a worried frown
- as a harmonious, fair, and good face
- as a face with a mischievous smile
In this stanza, nature is given a "harmonious, fair, and good" face.
In this stanza, nature is given a "harmonious, fair, and good" face.
In this stanza, nature is given a "harmonious, fair, and good" face.
In this stanza, nature is given a "harmonious, fair, and good" face.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
O'er beings infinite his love extends,
His Wisdom rules them, and his Pow'r defends.
When tasks diurnal tire the human frame,
The spirits faint, and dim the vital flame,
Then too that ever active bounty shines,
Which not infinity of space confines.
The sable veil, that Night in silence draws,
Conceals effects, but shews th' Almighty Cause;
Night seals in sleep the wide creation fair,
And all is peaceful but the brow of care.
Again, gay Phoebus, as the day before,
Wakes ev'ry eye, but what shall wake no more;
Again the face of nature is renew'd,
Which still appears harmonious, fair, and good.
May grateful strains salute the smiling morn,
Before its beams the eastern hills adorn!
