Through Phillis Wheatley's poetry, Wheatley opened the eyes of the people to the intelligence of the African American race, and thus had an everlasting impact on the abolitionist movement in years to come.
Biography of Phillis Wheatley: Phillis Wheatley's "On Being Brought from Africa to America"
Anti- slavery poet.
Born in 1753 in Senegal, Africa.
Kidnapped at the age of 7 or 8 and taken to Boston ports.
Bought by John Wheatley to serve Mr. Wheatley's wife Susanna.
Phillis was educated in Latin, Greek, mythology, and literature by Susanna after being noticed for her intelligence.
Phillis Wheatley is famous for producing poetry describing personal experiences about slavery and opinions regarding religion and ethics.
Wheatley was tested countless times by the U.S. court system to prove that it was in fact her that was producing the poetry.
Despite that she passed all of their intelligence tests, the court failed to allow her works to be published.
Phillis Wheatley then went on to London, England,where she was finally able to have her works published
Phillis Wheatley is the first black poet to have her poetry published and produced to mass numbers.
Phillis Wheatley's poetry can be found in her work, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
Phillis Wheatley died on December 5, 1784.
Phillis Wheatley's most famous poem acclaimed by critiques is the work, "On Being Brought from Africa to America." Wheatley expresses through this poem that she understands it was in God's larger plan for her to be kidnapped and sold into slavery. Wheatley ends the poem noting that in God's eyes despite skin color we are all one in the same setting up a tone for discussion for the abolitionist movement in regards to equality for blacks.
"On Being Brought from Africa to America" 'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their colour is a diabolic die." Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
Phillis Wheatley's Significance: At the young age of twelve Phillis began writing poetry and it was in this pivotal moment that would set her on a road to glory and triumph in proving the African American race’s intelligence. Wheatley is such a rare case; she is the first African American woman and slave to have works publicized. Wheatley portrayed to the world that the black race was fully capable of reading, writing, and interpreting what they have learned into art. In relation to this and the abolition movement it is through Wheatley’s poetry that showed not only people of her time the black’s intelligence but also future abolitionists who would cite Wheatley for her accomplishments in the fight to end slavery and gain the black's equality. Without Phillis Wheatley’s contributions to literature it is hard to say how much later in history it would have taken before Americans took notice to the black race’s intelligence. Wheatley’s poetry was not only influential in her time but also in years to come with future abolitionists. Wheatley’s poetry showed the world her ideas of religion, America’s view on slavery, and that in the eyes of God black or white we are all one in the same.
Works Cited: Book (located in UWF Library)
Phillis, Wheatley. “On Being Brought from Africa to America.” Amazing Grace An Anthology of Poems about Slavery 1660-1810. Ed by James G. Basker. 2002 Yale University Press. New Haven. London.