A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley: Line-by-Line Analysis, Themes, Literary Devices and Summary
Introduction to A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley: Poem Summary and Historical Context
Line-by-Line and Stanza-by-Stanza Explanation of A Hymn to the Morning
First Quatrain Analysis of A Hymn to the Morning: Invocation of the Nine Muses and Poetic Inspiration
As the early 18th century poets such as Alexander Pope did, the speaker of Wheatley’s poem addresses the nine muses, asking them to guide her hand, heart, and mind as she composes the song.
The nine muses are the goddesses who guide and guard the various arts and sciences: Clio (history/heroes), Urania (astronomy), Calliope (epic poetry/music), Melpomene (tragedy), Euterpe (lyric poetry), Erato (love), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy) and Polyhymnia (sacred hymns).
Then the speaker says that dawn, “Aurora” or goddess of dawn, is motivating her to write a song dedicated to the goddess of morning, and the speaker wants the song to flow smoothly like a gentle brook, so she asks the muses to “pour the notes along”. The speaker wants to be sure that her song is worthy.
First Sestet Analysis of A Hymn to the Morning: Description of Dawn, Birds and Natural Beauty
As morning approaches, the stars recede from view, and the speaker asks the muses to hold her honor, dawn’s victory of arrival. The speaker describes the morning’s sun with its far-reaching rays of light. She observes that light is falling on every leaf, and a gentle breeze is playing upon them.
The humble speaker pays homage to the songs of the birds as she describes their singing as “harmonious”, and she notes as the birds are looking around, their eyes are darting about and they are shaking their feathers as they wake up.
Second Sestet Analysis of A Hymn to the Morning: Calliope, Poetic Creativity and Celebration of Sunrise
The speaker bids the trees to “shield your poet from the burning day.” She is overemphasizing a bit, calling the shade of the trees “verdant gloom”. The playful comparison moves in service of foregrounding the sun’s brightness as well as the colourful morning’s sun rise.
She addresses Calliope, the muse of poetry, to play upon the lyre, while her sisters, the other muses, “fan the pleasing fire”. Fanning fire makes it burn brighter, and she is celebrating the rising sun that becomes warmer and brighter as it becomes more visible. The little drama is pleasing the poet as she compares.
Second Quatrain Analysis of A Hymn to the Morning: The Rising Sun as the King of Day
The speaker thinks of leafy alcoves, and gentle breezes, and the sky with its many colours of purple, pink, orange stretching across the vast panorama of blue, and these things give her much pleasure. Then she suddenly exclaims “look! the sun!”, to whom she refers as the “king of day”.
As the sun rises, all darkness has gradually faded away. The radiance of the sun inspires the speaker so immensely, but then she feels something of a let down: “But oh! I feel his fervid beams too strong / And scarce begun, concludes th’ abortive song”. As soon as the sun has fully arrived, then the morning is gone, and her song was celebrating morning, and thus the song must end.
Major Themes in A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley
Theme of Celebration of Nature in A Hymn to the Morning: Beauty, Renewal and Harmony of the Natural World
The poem presents morning as a time of beauty, renewal, and vitality. Every element of nature participates in welcoming the new day.
Theme of Divine Creation in A Hymn to the Morning: Christian Faith and God’s Presence in Nature
Although the poem employs classical mythology, it also reflects Wheatley’s Christian belief that nature reveals the greatness of God.
Theme of Inspiration and Poetry in A Hymn to the Morning: Relationship Between Nature and Creative Expression
The poet asks the Muses to help her create a worthy song in praise of morning, emphasizing the connection between nature and poetic creativity.
Theme of Harmony and Order in A Hymn to the Morning: Neoclassical Ideas of Balance and Beauty
The poem reflects the eighteenth-century belief in balance, beauty, and order in both nature and art.
Literary Devices in A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley
Apostrophe in A Hymn to the Morning: Direct Address to Aurora and the Muses
The poet directly addresses Aurora and the Muses.
Personification in A Hymn to the Morning: Morning as a Living Presence
Morning is presented as a living being who awakens and spreads her rays.
Imagery in A Hymn to the Morning: Visual and Auditory Images of Dawn and Nature
Rich visual and auditory images describe:
Bright Sunlight Imagery
Bright sunlight
Green Groves and Natural Landscape Imagery
Green groves
Gentle Breezes and Morning Atmosphere
Gentle breezes
Singing Birds and Musical Imagery
Singing birds
Classical Allusions in A Hymn to the Morning: Aurora, Calliope and the Nine Muses
References to:
Aurora (Goddess of Dawn)
Aurora (goddess of dawn)
The Nine Muses in Classical Mythology
The Nine Muses
Calliope (Muse of Epic Poetry)
Calliope (Muse of epic poetry)
These allusions connect the poem to classical literary traditions.
Form and Rhyme Scheme of A Hymn to the Morning
Heroic Couplets and Iambic Pentameter in A Hymn to the Morning
Written in heroic couplets.
Uses iambic pentameter.
Rhyme Scheme Analysis of A Hymn to the Morning: AA BB CC DD Pattern
The rhyme scheme is AA BB CC DD, typical of eighteenth-century neoclassical poetry.
Tone and Mood in A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley
Reverential and Celebratory Tone in A Hymn to the Morning
Tone: Reverential, joyful, celebratory
Optimistic and Serene Mood Created Through Nature Imagery
Mood: Refreshing, optimistic, serene
The poem creates a sense of wonder at the beauty of a new day and encourages readers to appreciate nature’s harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley
1. Who wrote A Hymn to the Morning?
A Hymn to the Morning was written by Phillis Wheatley, one of the earliest published African-American poets.
2. When was A Hymn to the Morning published?
The poem was published in 1773 in Wheatley’s collection Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
3. What is the main theme of A Hymn to the Morning?
The main theme is the celebration of nature, particularly the beauty and freshness of dawn, along with gratitude for divine creation.
4. Who is Aurora in the poem?
Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn. Wheatley uses her as a symbol of the morning and the arrival of light.
5. Why does the poet invoke the Muses?
The poet invokes the Muses to seek inspiration for composing a beautiful poem worthy of praising the morning.
6. What type of poem is A Hymn to the Morning?
It is a lyric nature poem that combines elements of neoclassical poetry, classical mythology, and religious reflection.
7. What poetic devices are used in the poem?
The poem uses:
- Personification
- Apostrophe
- Imagery
- Allusion
- Symbolism
8. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
The poem is written in heroic couplets with the rhyme scheme AA BB CC DD.
9. What mood does the poem create?
The poem creates a cheerful, peaceful, and optimistic mood by depicting the beauty of a new day.
10. How is nature portrayed in the poem?
Nature is portrayed as vibrant, harmonious, and full of life. Birds sing, breezes blow gently, and sunlight brightens the earth.
11. What role does religion play in the poem?
Although the poem contains classical references, it also reflects Wheatley’s Christian belief that nature reveals God’s glory and wisdom.
12. Why is A Hymn to the Morning important?
The poem is important because it showcases Wheatley’s poetic skill, her command of classical literary traditions, and her contribution to early American literature.
13. What is the tone of A Hymn to the Morning?
The tone is joyful, appreciative, reverent, and celebratory.
14. How does Wheatley use imagery in the poem?
She uses vivid images of sunrise, birds, trees, flowers, and gentle breezes to create a beautiful picture of the morning landscape.
15. What message does the poem convey?
The poem conveys that nature’s beauty inspires joy, gratitude, and admiration for the divine order of the universe.
Conclusion: Critical Appreciation of A Hymn to the Morning by Phillis Wheatley
A Hymn to the Morning is one of Phillis Wheatley’s finest nature poems, blending classical mythology, Christian spirituality, and vivid descriptions of the natural world. Through rich imagery, harmonious language, and references to the Muses, Wheatley celebrates the beauty of dawn and the divine order of creation. The poem highlights the connection between nature and poetic inspiration while reflecting eighteenth-century ideals of balance, beauty, and artistic excellence. Its enduring appeal lies in its joyful appreciation of nature and its demonstration of Wheatley’s remarkable literary talent.