Elegy

Definition

An elegy is a type of poem that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often in memory of someone who has passed away. It typically reflects on themes of loss, mourning, and the transient nature of life, serving as a tribute to the deceased while also exploring the emotions of the bereaved.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Phillis Wheatley’s poetry includes elegies that often reflect her personal experiences with loss and her reflections on death and mortality.
2. Wheatley's elegies are notable for their combination of classical forms and themes relevant to her own life as an African American woman in colonial America.
3. In her elegies, Wheatley often employs formal language and structure, drawing on classical traditions while addressing contemporary issues of her time.
4. The emotional depth in Wheatley’s elegies resonates with her readers, allowing them to connect with the universal experience of grief.
5. Wheatley’s work contributed to the broader tradition of elegiac poetry in America, influencing how future poets would express themes of mourning and remembrance.

Review Questions

• How does Phillis Wheatley's use of elegy contribute to the themes present in her poetry?
  • Phillis Wheatley's use of elegy allows her to delve into deep themes of loss, identity, and mortality. Through her elegiac poems, she expresses her personal grief while also connecting it to broader cultural and social issues faced by African Americans during her time. This blend of personal experience with universal themes makes her elegies poignant and relatable, enriching the emotional landscape of her body of work.
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of Wheatley’s elegies with those found in traditional elegiac poetry from classical literature.
  • Wheatley's elegies share many characteristics with traditional elegiac poetry, such as structured forms and themes centered around mourning and remembrance. However, unlike many classical elegies that may focus on heroes or prominent figures, Wheatley often centers her own personal experiences and cultural identity within her works. This unique perspective allows her to bridge classical influences with contemporary issues, reflecting the complexities of life as an enslaved person in America.
• Evaluate the impact of historical context on the themes present in Wheatley’s elegies and how this reflects broader societal concerns.
  • The historical context surrounding Phillis Wheatley’s life significantly impacts the themes present in her elegies. Living during a time when African Americans faced immense hardships, her elegies not only serve as personal tributes to loss but also address larger societal issues like slavery and identity. By weaving these historical concerns into her poetry, Wheatley challenges readers to reflect on the pain of loss within a context that highlights the struggles for freedom and recognition faced by people of color, making her work resonate with both personal and collective grief.

Related terms

Lyric Poetry: A category of poetry that expresses personal thoughts and feelings, often written in the first person, which can include elegies as a specific form.

Lament: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow, similar to an elegy but may be more immediate and less structured than the traditional elegiac form.

Dirge: A mournful song or poem, typically performed at funerals, which shares similarities with elegies but is usually shorter and more focused on the act of mourning.