Question

Nature is a recurring theme in early American literature. What view of nature does Phillis Wheatley provide in "An Hymn to the Evening"

Answer 1

In "An Hymn to the Evening" by Phillis Wheatley, nature is represented in a magnificent way, highlighting the gratefulness of the landscapes.  

For the author, this can be seen in the sunset sky. The beauty of the evening sun, enlightening the sky, mixes with the sense of freedom. God is omnipresent everywhere, in every aspect of life.  

Answer 2

Phillis Wheatley is influenced by Greek and Roman Classicism and the XVIII early British poets, Alexander and Milton. In this poem, "An Hymn to the Evening", she mixes religion and the classic attraction to beauty and perfection. In fact, she resorts to mythical figures to inspire her. She provides a mythical view of nature; she has personified it because she wants it to give her inspiration. The poet asks Aurora, the Goddess of dawn, to listen to her "lays" or poems.  The poet uses personification, for example, when she says that the morning wakes up. She also calls another god to inspire her, Calliope. This is the muse that inspires epic poetry. The poet asks Calliope to make the lyres play. " King of day" refers to the sun. This is a metaphor used by Wheatley. Then, the poet admires nature; she thinks it is the perfect source for a poet's inspiration. She uses the mythical figures to represent the good source of nature , however, when the sun beams get too strong she cannot write any more: " I feel his fervid beams too strong,  And scarce begun, concludes th' abortive song". Her inspiration gets balanced with the soft and smooth movements of nature: "...To shield your poet from the burning day.."; here, she is referring to Aurora.