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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"An Hymn to the Evening" is a poem by Phillis Wheatley, written in the 18th century. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and tranquility of the evening, and it explores the power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit. The poem is structured as a series of musings and reflections from the perspective of the narrator. The poem explores themes of beauty, tranquility, and the enduring power of nature. One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of beauty and the way that nature can inspire a sense of awe and wonder in the human spirit. Wheatley reflects on the beauty of the evening sky, the stars, and the landscape, and she celebrates the way that these natural wonders can uplift and inspire the human soul. She writes, "Soon as the sun forsook the eastern main / The pealing thunder shook the heav'nly plain; / Majestic grandeur! From the zephyr's wing, / Exhales the incense of the blooming spring." Another important theme of the poem is the idea of tranquility and the importance of finding peace and stillness in a chaotic world. Wheatley reflects on the way that the evening can be a time of calm and reflection, and she explores the tension between the chaos of daily life and the need for quiet contemplation. She writes, "Soon as thy presence breaks upon the sight, / (As struggling thro' the stormy gloom of night,) / The stars, expiring, hide their glimmering ray, / And shrink at once from sorrowing Cynthia's sway." Throughout the poem, Wheatley uses poetic language and vivid imagery to create a sense of emotional depth and resonance. She describes the beauty of nature, the power of the evening sky, and the enduring impact of these natural wonders on the human spirit. In conclusion, "An Hymn to the Evening" is a powerful and reflective poem that celebrates the beauty and tranquility of nature. Wheatley's use of poetic language and vivid imagery creates a sense of emotional depth and resonance, and her exploration of themes of beauty, tranquility, and the enduring power of nature speaks to the enduring power of human experience.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NIGHTWATCHMAN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN THE BREATH OF NIGHT by RANDALL JARRELL HOODED NIGHT by ROBINSON JEFFERS NIGHT WITHOUT SLEEP by ROBINSON JEFFERS WORKING OUTSIDE AT NIGHT by DENIS JOHNSON POEM TO TAKE BACK THE NIGHT by JUNE JORDAN COOL DARK ODE by DONALD JUSTICE POEM TO BE READ AT 3 A.M by DONALD JUSTICE ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT by BOB KAUFMAN |
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