Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral · Chapter
On Recollection explained
The poem invokes Mneme, the personification of memory, to inspire the poet's song.
What happens
The poem invokes Mneme, the personification of memory, to inspire the poet's song. It explores memory's power to recall past deeds, both virtuous and vicious, and its role in moral judgment. The poet reflects on eighteen years of life, acknowledging past follies with shame and calling upon Virtue to guide future days. Memory is portrayed as a divine force that brings peace to the righteous and torment to the wicked.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue and Moral Guidance
The poem contrasts the torment of vice with the peace of virtue, calling on Virtue to guide the poet's future days.
Classical and Biblical Allusion
Mneme, the sacred nine (Muses), Phoebe, and Maro are classical references used to frame the poem's meditation on memory.
Characters to notice
- Mneme
Invoked as the immortal power of memory who inspires the poet and reveals past actions.
- Phillis Wheatley
The poet who calls upon Mneme and reflects on her own past follies and the passage of eighteen years.
- Maro
Mentioned as a source of sweet, entertaining strains, alluding to Virgil.
Key passages
“Mneme begin. Inspire, ye sacred nine, Your vent’rous Afric in her great design.”
Memory, start my poem. Inspire me, Muses, as I, a daring African woman, undertake this great work.
Wheatley invokes both Mneme and the Muses, asserting her identity as an African poet.
“Now eighteen years their destin’d course have run, In fast succession round the central sun.”
Eighteen years have passed quickly as the earth has orbited the sun.
Wheatley marks her age and the passage of time since her arrival from Africa.
“O Virtue, smiling in immortal green, Do thou exert thy pow’r, and change the scene; Be thine employ to guide my future days, And mine to pay the tribute of my praise.”
O Virtue, eternally youthful and beautiful, use your power to transform my life. Guide my future, and I will praise you.
A plea for moral guidance and a commitment to virtuous living.