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Phillis Wheatley: Black Or White Poet? - Papers

Phillis Wheatley: Black Or White Poet?


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English 101
Phillis Wheatley was brought from Africa to America to be put into slavery. She was more privileged than other slaves because her owners taught her to read and write. Showing early signs of remarkable intelligence, her owners, the Wheatleys, fostered her talent by tutoring her regularly. Phillis took to writing poetry, which led her to become the first black woman poet in the United States. She was a genius of her time. Her poems mainly focus on the themes of nature and religion. As a result, blacks and whites alike have criticized her for failing to refer to the plight of her race. In general, critics do not deny that she was a genius, but they are divided on the issue of ...

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to America. She lived as a domestic slave to a wealthy family in Boston where she was educated and made into a better person. In the poem, her use of such words like “scornful eye” and “refined” suggests acknowledgement on the part of the poet in regards to racial injustice. “Scornful eye” as Wheatley uses the phrase refers to the racial discrimination that exists towards blacks. Similarly, the description “refined” suggests that if you improve yourself you can better endure prejudices. The poet seems to say that one way of protesting captivity is to overcome the dehumanizing system of slavery by educating oneself. The critic Arthur P. Davis agrees with the assessment. He writes that,”…she is definitely race conscious.”(94) On the other hand, Vernon Loggins, author of The Negro Author, argues that, “she neglected almost her own state of slavery and the miserable oppression of thousands of her race.” (113) He then states that
one looks in vain for some outburst or even complaint ...

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PAPER DETAILS
Added: 8/23/2007 07:37:59 PM
Category: Poetry & Poets
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1239
Pages: 5

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