Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry. Enslaved and educated in colonial America, she used her unique voice to merge classical traditions with Christian themes and personal insight. An analysis of a Wheatley poem—such as “On Being Brought from Africa to America”—reveals layers of complexity, including religious hope, racial identity, and subtle resistance.
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“On Being Brought from Africa to America”: A Closer Look
This eight-line poem, short in form but rich in meaning, showcases Wheatley’s mastery of classical style and moral persuasion while subtly challenging racism and slavery.
1. Theme of Redemption and Christian Salvation
Wheatley opens the poem with:
“’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land”
She suggests that being taken from Africa led her to Christian salvation, a belief rooted in the religious teachings of the time. However, this line is often interpreted as layered—acknowledging her newfound faith while exposing the cruelty of enslavement.
2. Tone and Irony
Though written in a calm and reverent tone, the poem carries subtle ironic undertones. Her seemingly grateful acknowledgment of slavery as a pathway to faith may mask deeper criticism. The poem invites readers to consider the tension between spiritual gain and physical suffering.
3. Call for Equality
In her closing lines:
“Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.”
Wheatley challenges Christian readers who view Black people as inferior. By invoking biblical equality, she asserts that all people, regardless of race, have the capacity for divine grace. This quiet yet firm assertion confronts the hypocrisy of Christian slaveholders.
4. Use of Classical Form
Wheatley uses rhymed heroic couplets, drawing from neoclassical tradition. Her refined technique and learned style directly contradict stereotypes of Black intellectual inferiority, asserting her rightful place in literary culture.
Conclusion
Phillis Wheatley’s poetry is a testament to resilience, intellect, and subtle rebellion. In “On Being Brought from Africa to America”, she combines religious devotion with a strategic appeal to equality, crafting a poem that resonates beyond its colonial context. Wheatley remains not only a pioneering Black writer but also a literary agent of change, using poetry to critique injustice and affirm shared humanity.