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

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

## What happens

The poet questions whether Afric's muse could forget true friendship, suggesting that immortal friendship, crowned with laurels and surrounded by the Graces, is a heavenly art that moves the human heart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Moral Guidance

Friendship is portrayed as an immortal, laurel-crowned virtue surrounded by the Graces, emphasizing moral and divine qualities.

## Character check-ins

### Afric

Personified as a muse, representing the poet's African heritage and inspiration.

## Key lines

> Can Afric’s muse forgetful prove? Or can such friendship fail to move A tender human heart?

Could the muse of Africa be so forgetful, or could such a deep friendship fail to stir a compassionate human heart?

_The poet questions whether her African heritage could allow her to forget the powerful bond of friendship._

> Immortal Friendship laurel-crown’d The smiling Graces all surround With ev’ry heav’nly Art.

Eternal Friendship, crowned with laurels, is encircled by the smiling Graces, adorned with every divine art.

_Friendship is depicted as an immortal, honored virtue, attended by the classical Graces and heavenly arts._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/vi
- 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