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The Influence of Religion in Phillis Wheatley's Life
Phillis Wheatley overcame extreme obstacles, such as racism and sexism, to become one of the most acclaimed poets in the 18th Century. Her works are characterized by religious and moral backgrounds, which are due to the extensive education of religion she received. In this sense, her poems also fit into American Poetry. However, she differs in the way that she is a black woman whose writings tackle greater subjects while incorporating her moral standpoint. By developing her writing, she began speaking out against injustices that she faced and, consequently, gave way to authors such as Gwendolyn Brooks and Countee Cullen.
On July 11, 1761, a slave ship from Fula, West Africa…show more content…
In general, religion was a large part of Boston. Few slaves were encouraged to attend church; however, the Wheatleys attended New South Congregational Church and encouraged Phillis to embrace the Lord as they had (Mason 4). Because she was asthmatic, she attended Old South Congregational Church, which was closer to the Wheatley residence (Weidt 15).
By the age of twelve, she had become quite familiar with the Bible as well as literary works of contemporary English poets. In addition, she translated works by the Latin and Greek writers Ovid and Homer, respectively (Mason 4). At this same time, after being in Boston for about four years, she began to take an interest in writing (Mason 4). Susanna supplied Phillis with paper and ink to enable her to write and even allowed Phillis to ignore her household something that was practically unheard of for a slave (Mason 5). However, Susanna was accommodating because she wanted Phillis to pursue her religious education and believed that writing would enable her to do so.
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Phillis Wheatley Peters was born in West Africa in 1753. At the age of eight, she was kidnapped, enslaved in New England, and sold to John Wheatley of Boston. The first African-American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry in the colonies, Wheatley learned to read and write English by the age of nine, familiarizing herself with Latin, Greek, the Bible, and selected classics at an early age. She began writing poetry at thirteen, modeling her work on the English poets of the time, particularly John Milton, Thomas Gray, and Alexander Pope. Her poem “On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield” was published as a broadside in cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia and garnered Wheatley national acclaim. This poem was also printed in London. Over the next few years, she would print a number of broadsides elegizing prominent English and colonial leaders.
Explanation:
one of her poems
ON VIRTUE
O Thou bright jewel in my aim I strive
To comprehend thee. Thine own words declare
Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach.
I cease to wonder, and no more attempt
Thine height t’explore, or fathom thy profound.
But, O my soul, sink not into despair,
Virtue is near thee, and with gentle hand
Would now embrace thee, hovers o’er thine
head.
Fain would the heav’n-born soul with her converse,
Then seek, then court her for her promis’d bliss.
Auspicious queen, thine heav’nly pinions spread,
And lead celestial Chastity along;
Lo! now her sacred retinue descends,
Array’d in glory from the orbs above.
Attend me, Virtue, thro’ my youthful years!
O leave me not to the false joys of time!
But guide my steps to endless life and bliss.
Greatness, or Goodness, say what I shall call thee,
To give an higher appellation still,
Teach me a better strain, a nobler lay,
O thou, enthron’d with Cherubs in the realms of day!