Critical Analysis of Phillis Wheatley free essay sample

The Life and Literature of Phillis Wheatley Phillis Wheatley holds the accomplishment of being the first published African American writer. Her story is very different from the other published African American writers. Unlike most of the writers to follow her she was not born into slavery and she is not of a mixed race. Phillis Wheatley was abducted from her parents and her home in West Africa when she was around seven years old, she was named for the slave ship The Phillis that delivered her into slavery. I was surprised to learn Phillis Wheatley viewed slavery as an opportunity rather than a cruel and dehumanizing system. Her works differ from the writers to follow because she does not openly discourage slavery. As a child Phillis showed that she had a great aptitude, her owners took an interest in her education and began to teacher her to read and write. She was a fast learner and soon began to study Latin and literature. We will write a custom essay sample on Critical Analysis of Phillis Wheatley or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Her early education is reflected in her complex works, even at a young age she mimic Pope and Milton in her writing style. Her first poem was published when she was just twelve years old. Her writings shocked white America and spoke for itself. Although she did not advocate for the freedom of her people. She had laid the ground work in displaying that African American were just as capable and in her case more of being as intelligent as anyone else. Wheatley’s works began to become more noticed. However publishers refused to acknowledge Wheatley and denied that she had actually written her own poems. Wheatley’s case went to trial to eventually and she eventually received credit for her writing. Although she finally received the credit she was unable to find a publisher who would publish her works in America. One of her works â€Å"Coming to American from Africa † a poem that she is famous for and that speaks reflects her opinion of slavery and the plight of her people. Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand. † The first two lines of the poem set the tone of the poem and show her opinion of African Americans and and there status when compared to Whites. These line from her poem she describes the pillaging of Africa and the kidnapping of her people as â€Å"mercy. She also refers to Africa as a Pagan land and insinuates that that its inhabitants were not able to learn and to function. She actually addresses slavery in a positive light because it introduced her to Christianity. Then she actually pleads with the white viewers not to be to disgusted with her savage race of people because throught slavery and white teaching they too have the chance to become Christian . â€Å"Some view our sable race with scornful eye, Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refind and join thangelic train. † The last line employs the White Christian audience to remember that despite their savage was there is still hope of civilizing African Americans. She also uses a metaphor to compare the African race to Cain the root of all evil. Wheatley wrote passionately about America’s independence but not however about the independence of her people. Her sentiments actually adopted and promoted the majority of White opinion of African Americans. Although she did not intentionally advocate for African Americans she served as an example and proof that African Americans possessed the intelligence and ability and laid the way for many others.