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Cover of The Day of Doom; Or, A Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgment: With Other Poems

The Day of Doom; Or, A Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgment: With Other Poems

Written by Michael Wigglesworth

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Judgment Day

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About this book

"The Day of Doom; Or, A Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgment" by Michael Wigglesworth is a religious poem written in the 17th century. This work presents a vivid and dramatic portrayal of the Last Judgment, exploring themes of sin, redemption, and divine justice. The poem resonates with the theological perspectives of the Puritan era, emphasizing the consequences of human actions in the afterlife. The opening of this poem sets a somber and atmospheric scene, describing a tranquil night abruptly disrupted by the terrifying arrival of Christ as the Judge. As people sleep in their complacency, unaware of the impending doom, the narrative builds tension, detailing how hearts tremble and panic ensues at the sight of the divine. The judicious separation of the righteous from the wicked and the ensuing pleas for mercy highlight the moral dilemmas faced by individuals, culminating in a powerful reminder of their fate. Wigglesworth uses rich imagery and strong emotional appeal to confront readers with the weight of their choices, foreshadowing the dramatic events of the Judgment Day.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Day of Doom; Or, A Poetical Description of the Great and Last Judgment: With Other Poems, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • somber
  • didactic
  • fearful

Michael Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom" is a seminal 17th-century Puritan poem that graphically details the Last Judgment, serving as a powerful theological treatise and a warning to its contemporary audience. Through vivid, often terrifying imagery, the poem depicts Christ's sudden arrival as Judge, the resurrection of the dead, and the meticulous separation of humanity into the eternally saved and the damned. It systematically addresses and refutes various pleas for mercy from different categories of sinners, firmly upholding the tenets of Calvinist predestination and divine justice. The work profoundly influenced early American religious thought, instilling a deep sense of accountability and the dire consequences of unrepentant sin within Puritan communities.

“For at midnight break of day, when all men living sleep, And many a soul for sin by stealth, doth secret pleasure keep, Then shall the Lord to judgment come, and on the clouds appear, With trumpets loud, and voice of God, to fill the world with fear.”

Key themes

Divine Justice and Judgment
This is the central theme, exploring God's absolute and unwavering justice as manifested in the Last Judgment. The poem portrays Christ as an impartial Judge who meticulously weighs every action and thought, delivering sentences based on eternal decrees. It emphasizes that divine justice is beyond human questioning or appeal.
Sin and Damnation
The poem extensively details the nature of sin, both original and actual, and its inevitable consequence: eternal damnation. It illustrates various forms of sin – hypocrisy, procrastination, reliance on good works rather than grace – and portrays the horrifying reality of unending torment for the unredeemed.
Human Accountability and the Fear of God
The poem serves as a powerful reminder of individual accountability before a wrathful God. It aims to instill a profound fear of divine judgment, thereby motivating readers to live righteously and seek salvation according to Puritan tenets. Every action, thought, and omission is recorded and will be judged.

Worth discussing

How does 'The Day of Doom' reflect the core theological tenets of 17th-century Puritanism, particularly regarding predestination and divine justice?

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