# Unknown Narrator — Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral character guide > Unknown Narrator in Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** mine, your **First appearance:** 0003-poems-on-various-subjects-religious-and-moral ## Snapshot The 'I' who mourns a grov'ling mind that fain would mount, speaking as poet, supplicant, and soul in flight across these poems. ## Who they are This voice opens the collection by addressing Maecenas directly, confessing that the same ardors that fired Virgil and Terence burn in her soul but die fault'ring on her tongue. She is at once humble before the great poets and audacious in claiming a laurel from their patron's head. That tension between self-doubt and soaring ambition shapes every hymn, elegy, and address that follows. ## Relationships ### [Susanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/susanna) _friendship_ Susanna is a virtuous figure often addressed or observed by the narrator with admiration and moral reverence. ### [Afric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/afric) _social_ Afric appears as a personified continent or character the narrator reflects upon, often in a context of lament or moral commentary. ### [Britannia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/britannia) _social_ Britannia is a personification of Britain, addressed by the narrator with patriotic or critical overtones. ### [Mneme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/mneme) _psychological_ Mneme, as memory personified, is invoked by the narrator to recall or preserve past events and emotions. ### [Damon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/damon) _friendship_ Damon is a pastoral or allegorical friend whose interactions with the narrator suggest companionship or shared reflection. ### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/apollo) _professional_ Apollo, as god of poetry, is invoked by the narrator as a patron or source of artistic inspiration. ### [Bosrah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/bosrah) _social_ Bosrah is a biblical or allegorical figure referenced by the narrator in a context of judgment or prophecy. ### [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/david) _friendship_ David is a heroic biblical figure the narrator admires and often recounts in a laudatory tone. ### [Aurora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/aurora) _social_ Aurora, the dawn personified, is addressed by the narrator as a natural or mythological presence. ### [Leonard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/leonard) _friendship_ Leonard is a personal acquaintance or friend of the narrator, mentioned in a context of loss or remembrance. ### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/apollo) _professional_ Apollo, as god of poetry, is invoked by the narrator as a patron or source of artistic inspiration. ### [Bosrah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/bosrah) _social_ Bosrah is a biblical or allegorical figure referenced by the narrator in a context of judgment or prophecy. ## In the story ### [To Maecenas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-maecenas) The speaker who mourns her own groveling mind and inability to rival the great poets, while seeking Maecenas's favor. ### [On Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-virtue) The speaker who strives to comprehend Virtue and seeks its guidance. ### [To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 1768](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-king-s-most-excellent-majesty-1768) The speaker addresses the king with reverence and hope. ### [On the Death of a Young Lady of Five Years of Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-a-young-lady-of-five-years-of-age) The speaker addresses the parents directly, offering spiritual consolation and urging resignation to divine will. ### [On the Death of a Young Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-a-young-gentleman) The speaker who mourns the young gentleman and seeks to console the parents. ### [To a Lady on the Death of Her Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-on-the-death-of-her-husband) The speaker addresses the lady and Death, offering consolation and theological reflection. ### [Thoughts on the Works of Providence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/thoughts-on-the-works-of-providence) The speaker who rises in rapture to praise God and reflects on creation. ### [To a Lady on the Death of Three Relations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-on-the-death-of-three-relations) The speaker who traces Death's power and offers consolation. ### [To a Clergyman on the Death of His Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-clergyman-on-the-death-of-his-lady) The poet addresses the clergyman directly, offering comfort and theological reflection. ### [An Hymn to the Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-hymn-to-the-morning) The poet who invokes the muses and attempts to sing of the morning. ### [An Hymn to the Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-hymn-to-the-evening) The speaker who observes the evening and prays for virtue and divine favor. ### [A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. An Infant of Twelve Months](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/a-funeral-poem-on-the-death-of-c-e-an-infant-of-twelve-months) The speaker who narrates the infant's journey to heaven and addresses the parents. ### [To Captain H⸺d, of the 65th Regiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-captain-h-d-of-the-65th-regiment) The speaker invokes the muse and addresses Captain H⸺d directly. ### [To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for North-America, etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-right-honourable-william-earl-of-dartmouth-his-majesty-s-principal-secretary-of-state-for-north-america-etc) The collective American voice that congratulates Dartmouth and celebrates Freedom. ### [To a Lady on Her Coming to North-America with Her Son, for the Recovery of Her Health](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-on-her-coming-to-north-america-with-her-son-for-the-recovery-of-her-health) The speaker invokes the muse and narrates the lady's journey and reunion. ### [To a Lady on Her Remarkable Preservation in an Hurricane in North-Carolina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-on-her-remarkable-preservation-in-an-hurricane-in-north-carolina) The speaker who imagines the hurricane and addresses Maria. ### [To a Lady and Her Children, on the Death of Her Son and Their Brother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-lady-and-her-children-on-the-death-of-her-son-and-their-brother) The poet speaks in first person, expressing sorrow and then offering spiritual comfort. ### [To a Gentleman and Lady on the Death of the Lady’s Brother and Sister, and a Child of the Name of Avis, Aged One Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-gentleman-and-lady-on-the-death-of-the-lady-s-brother-and-sister-and-a-child-of-the-name-of-avis-aged-one-year) The speaker who observes death's domain and offers consolation to the grieving lady. ### [To a Gentleman on His Voyage to Great-Britain for the Recovery of His Health](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-a-gentleman-on-his-voyage-to-great-britain-for-the-recovery-of-his-health) The speaker who addresses the gentleman and invokes the sea and divine power. ### [To the Rev. Dr. Thomas Amory, on Reading His Sermons on Daily Devotion, in Which That Duty Is Recommended and Assisted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-rev-dr-thomas-amory-on-reading-his-sermons-on-daily-devotion-in-which-that-duty-is-recommended-and-assisted) The speaker who extols Amory's work and reflects on virtue, vice, and divine providence. ### [On the Death of J. C. An Infant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-j-c-an-infant) The speaker who observes the parents' grief and offers spiritual reassurance. ### [An Hymn to Humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/an-hymn-to-humanity) The speaker who observes the descent of divine Humanity and addresses S.P.G. Esq. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/ii) The narrator describes Jove's actions and words. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iii) The speaker invokes a divine power to descend and inspire humanity. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iv) The narrator describes the swift movement of a divine figure and the imparting of virtue. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/v) The speaker describes their own muse as languid and low, then inspired by the celestial nine. ### [To the Honourable T. H. Esq.; On the Death of His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-the-honourable-t-h-esq-on-the-death-of-his-daughter) The speaker consoles T. H. and imagines the daughter's voice from heaven. ### [To His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, on the Death of His Lady. March 24, 1773](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-his-honour-the-lieutenant-governor-on-the-death-of-his-lady-march-24-1773) The speaker, an 'Afric muse,' addresses the Lieutenant-Governor and offers consolation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/i) The speaker who leaves New England for the sea. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/ii) The speaker mourns their denied health. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iii) The speaker expresses personal languishing and desire to regain vanished joys. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/iv) The narrator observes Susanna's grief and cannot bear to see her tears. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/vi) The speaker expresses grief or melancholy, finding nature's beauty futile. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/viii) The narrator describes the appearance of Health as a celestial dame. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/xi) The speaker expresses personal joy and resignation for Britannia. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/xii) The speaker who addresses and rejects temptation. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/xiii) The speaker reflects on the protection of the faithful from temptation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters/unknown_narrator - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/characters