# On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age explained — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

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

## What happens

The poem consoles grieving parents over the death of their five-year-old daughter, Nancy, by describing her joyful ascent to heaven and urging them to accept God's will with gratitude and hope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Christian Redemption and Salvation

The poem centers on Nancy's salvation and blissful afterlife, encouraging parents to find comfort in her eternal reward.

### Grief and Consolation

The speaker directly addresses parental grief, urging its transformation into grateful praise and hopeful acceptance.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker addresses the parents directly, offering spiritual consolation and urging resignation to divine will.

### Jesus

Implied as the 'Lord' whom Nancy beholds with glory crowned, central to the heavenly praise described.

## Key lines

> From dark abodes to fair etherial light Th’ enraptur’d innocent has wing’d her flight;

The joyful innocent child has flown from the dark earthly world to beautiful heavenly light.

_Opens with the child's transition from earthly suffering to heavenly bliss._

> She feels the iron hand of pain no more;

She no longer experiences any pain.

_Emphasizes the relief from suffering that death brings._

> Adore the God who gives and takes away;

Worship God who both gives life and takes it away.

_Encourages acceptance of divine sovereignty over life and death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-a-young-lady-of-five-years-of-age
- 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