Question

4. Recall "Liberty Tree." How do Wheatley and Paine

use mythological and religious figures to further
their themes? Highlight and explain examples
in "To His Excellency, General Washington" to
support your ideas.

Answer 1

Wheatley and Paine use mythological and religious figures to reinforce their themes in their poems. Wheatley uses the figure of Neptune to symbolize America's independence, while Paine references biblical figures like Moses to emphasize the righteousness of the American cause.

Step-by-step explanation:

In their poems, both Wheatley and Paine utilize mythological and religious figures to enhance their themes. In "To His Excellency, General Washington," Wheatley employs the mythological figure of Neptune to symbolize America's newfound independence and power. She describes how Neptune praises Washington for his leadership and compares him to other great figures like Caesar and Hannibal.

Paine, on the other hand, uses biblical figures in "The American Crisis" to emphasize the righteousness of the American cause. He references Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and likens Washington to a modern-day Moses who will lead the American people to freedom.

Learn more about the use of mythological and religious figures in Wheatley and Paine's poems