# Death and the Afterlife in Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

> Theme guide for Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley.

Many elegies and funeral poems explore death as a transition to a heavenly afterlife, offering consolation to mourners by depicting the deceased as ascending to blissful immortality, as in 'On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell' and 'On the Death of a Young Gentleman.'

## Where it surfaces

- [On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell. 1769](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-the-rev-dr-sewell-1769): Sewell is depicted as ascending to the immortal shore and joining the happy dead in eternal day.
- [On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield. 1770](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-the-rev-mr-george-whitefield-1770): Whitefield's death is portrayed as a triumphant ascent to an immortal throne in heaven, with the tomb holding his dust until resurrection.
- [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 poem centers on death as a passage to heaven, with vivid imagery of the soul's seat and divine joys.
- [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 poem explores Death's dominion over all creation and the soul's liberation and ascent to heavenly bliss.
- [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 poem reflects on eternal consequences and the future doom, urging contemplation of the afterlife.
- [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 poem dwells on death's dominion over all humanity and the promise of heavenly immortality for the faithful.
- [On the Death of Dr. Samuel Marshall. 1771](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-the-death-of-dr-samuel-marshall-1771): The poem contemplates the transition from earthly life to an immortal shade, and the hope beyond death.
- [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 daughter's death is portrayed as a transition to a blissful celestial existence, where she reunites with her spouse and experiences eternal joy.
- [To S. M. A Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-s-m-a-young-african-painter-on-seeing-his-works): The poem contrasts the 'shades of time' with 'everlasting day,' describing a celestial realm where art reaches its purest form.
- [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 poem personifies Death as 'all-conquering' yet leads the virtuous to immortal peace, emphasizing a Christian view of the afterlife.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/endnotes): 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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/themes/death_and_afterlife
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/themes