The Works of Phillis Wheatley Essay examples - 803 Words

The Works of Phillis Wheatley Biography: Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa around 1753. Sometime after her birth, she was brought to America and purchased by John Wheatley in 1761. He turned Phillis over to his wife, Susanna, to work as a personal maid. After realizing Phillis’ intellect, the Wheatley family encouraged Phillis to study the Bible and read English and Latin literature, history and geography. Wheatley’s first poem was published in a Rhode Island newspaper in 1767. Poems on Various Subjects consisted of thirty-eight poems written by Wheatley, and it could be found in London in 1773. Wheatley died on December 5, 1784.* Discussion of Wheatley’s Work: The poetry of Phillis Wheatley should be considered†¦show more content†¦There are many ways in which this poem could be read. A white could have read it as either a submissive praise of Christianity or a belief that a slave believed in equality. An African-American could have read it with similar perspectives. The whites would have found the submissive reading to be more favorable, and the African-Americans would have favored the reading of equality. However, it was doubtful that many, if any blacks, were permitted to read any of Wheatley’s work. Wheatley tended to write many religiously based poems. They all consisted of her true opinions. They ranged from speaking about dead reverends that she respected to her opinions about the lives of Atheist and Deist. Atheism called out the downfalls that Wheatley believed to be corrupting the lives of those that did not believe in God. She accused Atheists of being self-centered and selfish, and she wrote, [t]hy heart in unbelief will harder grow†¦Thy unbelief disturbs the peaceful mind (Wheatley 130). Since Wheatley had found her freedom in her Christianity, she felt as though Christianity was the sole road to happiness during and after life. Wheatley knew what she believed in, and she was not afraid to let the world know. The Deists were not safe from Wheatley’s criticism either. She accused the Deists of being the children of Satan (Wheatley 131). Some people might have foundShow MoreRelatedPhillis Wheatley an Ex-African1082 Words   |  5 Pages9-11:45am 25 March 2011 Phillis Wheatley an Ex-African Phillis Wheatley born in Gambia, Africa in 1753 was the first early African American slave poet. â€Å"A kidnapped African slave child, aged about seven years old† (Lauter 1297), she was brought to Boston where she was sold to John and Susanna Wheatley. Phillis Wheatley’s first name was not given to her at birth she acquired her name by the ship that carried her to America in which it was name â€Å"The Phillis†. Susanna Wheatley chose the young AfricanRead MorePhillis Wheatley : A Pioneer Of American Poetry1310 Words   |  6 PagesPhillis Wheatley: A Pioneer of American Poetry Phillis Wheatley was an American figure unlike any other at her time. In a time where slavery was the normal, Ms. Wheatley was a revolutionary figure. She was not revolutionary because she was one of the enslaved but because she was one of the enslaved that knew how to read and write, becoming a published author. Women at the time of Phillis Wheatley were oppressed into submission to social norms. It was almost unheard of for a woman to write poetryRead MoreEssay on Phillis Wheatley1643 Words   |  7 Pages Phillis Wheatley, one of America’s most profound writers, has contributed greatly to American literature, not only as a writer, but as an African American woman, who has influenced many African Americans by enriching their knowledge of and exposure to their Negro heritage and Negro literature. As one of America’s most renown writers, Wheatley, said to be the mother of African American Literature, is best known for her sympathetic portrayals of African American th ought. Wheatley’s literary contributionsRead More American Poet: Phillis Wheatley Essay1208 Words   |  5 PagesAmerican Poet: Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley was an African-born slave in the last quarter of the eighteenth-century in New England. She was born in West Africa and brought to America on the slave ship Phillis. She was, however, much more than chattel-she was a poet. Phillis was the first African American to have a book published. In a time when women were not expected to be able to read or write, and when teaching an African American to be literate was frowned upon, Phillis Wheatley became educatedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Phillis Wheatley 1037 Words   |  5 PagesChandler Helmers Mr. Campbell English 3 Honors 10/12/14 An Analysis on the work of Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley is a Gambian born African American poet. She was bought off of the slave trade by the Wheatley family from Boston. Her love of writing was influenced by the reassurance of the Wheatley family who taught her how to read and write. The family encouraged her poetry and helped develop her literature skills. Phillis is known for becoming the first published African American poet. Many seeRead MoreCharacteristics Of Phillis Wheatley859 Words   |  4 Pages Phillis Wheatley. African American, poet, slave, woman. These were all the characteristics that describe Phillis Wheatley. She was a big part of what is our country today. Also a big part of women’s rights. Phillis was born on May 8, 1753 in Gambia, Africa. At the age of 8, she was captured. She was then put on a crowded boat that would come to America. These boat rides to America were very traumatic, and Phillis was only 8 at the time. The year 1761 was the year she was sold in Boston, MassachusettsRead MoreGratitude Of Ash By Phillis Wheatley1080 Words   |  5 PagesGratitude of Ash Phillis Wheatley drew attention in the 18thcentury for being a black slave, and a child prodigy who was able to write poems and songs. She was born in Gambia, Africa, and brought to Boston as a slave when she was a child, and became slave and companion to John Wheatley’s wife. As she grew older, John Wheatley’s wife viewed her as a feeble and brilliant girl who deserves to be educated and felt great affection toward her. Therefore, Susanna Wheatley’s daughters taught Phillis how to readRead MoreThe Colonization Of The Americas Became A Time Of Growth Of Independence And Religious Freedoms1524 Words   |  7 Pageslet alone religion. Africans rarely received any form of education. However, one enslaved African girl named Phillis Wheatley received an education from her owners, the Wheatley family. Through her education, she found and embraced Christianity. Using her education, she began writing poetry and publishing her works. Depicted in the poem On Being Brough t back from Africa to America† Wheatley used her privilege to situate herself between enslaved Africans and white colonists. She accomplishes this withinRead MoreThe Interesting Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano And Penry1531 Words   |  7 Pageswritten by Phillis Wheatley, a former slave who resided in Boston. The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano is a first person abolitionist slave narrative published in 1789 about Equiano’s experiences during the Transatlantic Slave trade retelling Equiano being forced from his home, the disparity from being moved from place to place, and his discovery of Christianity. While the series of poems written by Phillis Wheatley was created in the Revolutionary Era (1764-1789) during Phillis’ leisure timeRead MoreThe Beginning Of The 19th Century1520 Words   |  7 Pagesfreedom, let alone religion. Africans rarely received any form of education. However, one enslaved African girl named Phillis Wheatley received an education fr om her owners, the Wheatley family. Through her education, she found and embraced Christianity and soon began writing poetry and publishing her works. Depicted in the poem On Being Brought back from Africa to America† Wheatley used her privilege to situate herself between enslaved Africans and white colonists. She accomplishes this within the