# Endnotes explained — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

> Chapter companion for Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley.

## What happens

This chapter provides endnotes for the preceding poems and writings, offering brief clarifications on references such as the African birth of a subject, the repeal of the Stamp Act, the Countess of Huntingdon, and other allusions including Enoch, Elijah, and three daughters who died young.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and the Afterlife

References to Enoch and Elijah, who were taken to heaven without dying, and the death of three daughters, touch on themes of mortality and the afterlife.

### Classical and Biblical Allusion

The endnotes cite biblical figures Enoch and Elijah, demonstrating the use of scriptural reference.

## Character check-ins

### George Whitefield

Referenced indirectly through the Countess of Huntingdon, to whom he was Chaplain.

## Key lines

> He was an African by birth.

The person referred to was born in Africa.

_Clarifies the origin of an individual mentioned in the main text._

> The repeal of the Stamp Act.

The Stamp Act was repealed.

_Historical note on the repeal of a controversial British tax._

> The Countess of Huntingdon, to whom Mr. Whitefield was Chaplain.

The Countess of Huntingdon was the patron to whom George Whitefield served as chaplain.

_Identifies the relationship between the Countess and Whitefield._

> This verse to the end is the work of another hand.

The verse from this point onward was written by someone else.

_Attribution note indicating a change in authorship._

> Enoch.

Reference to the biblical figure Enoch.

_Biblical allusion to Enoch, who was taken by God._

> Elijah.

Reference to the biblical prophet Elijah.

_Biblical allusion to Elijah, who ascended to heaven._

> Three amiable daughters who died when just arrived to Women’s Estate.

Three beloved daughters died just as they reached womanhood.

_Mournful note on the early deaths of three young women._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/endnotes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters