Exploring the Poetic Genius of Phillis Wheatley

Unveiling the Themes within Her Poems

Phillis Wheatley, born in West Africa in 1753, was a remarkable poet who defied the norms of her time. Captured and enslaved as a young girl, Wheatley was brought to America and sold to a Boston family. Despite her circumstances, she developed an incredible talent for poetry, becoming the first African American woman to publish a book. Her poems, deeply rooted in her personal experiences and the social climate of her era, offer profound insights into themes such as religion, freedom, and identity.

Religion: A Guiding Force in Wheatley's Poetry

One prominent theme in Wheatley's work is religion. Having been taught to read and write by her owners, she became a devout Christian and her faith is evident throughout her poetry. In her poem "On Being Brought from Africa to America," Wheatley offers a profound reflection on her journey from slavery to Christianity:

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."

Here, Wheatley expresses gratitude for being introduced to Christianity, emphasizing the transformative power of her newfound faith.

Freedom: The Longing for Liberty

Another recurring theme in Wheatley's poetry is the desire for freedom. As an enslaved person, she intimately understood the yearning for liberation. In her poem "To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth," she appeals to Dartmouth, a prominent British abolitionist, to continue fighting for the freedom of enslaved Africans:

Should you, my lord, while you peruse my song,
Wonder from whence my love of Freedom sprung,
Whence flow these wishes for the common good,
By feeling hearts alone best understood,
I, young in life, by seeming cruel fate
Was snatch'd from Afric's fancy'd happy seat:

Wheatley's words highlight her own experiences and the universal longing for freedom and equality.

Identity: Celebrating African Heritage

Wheatley's poetry also celebrates her African heritage, offering a sense of pride and identity. In her poem "To the University of Cambridge, in New England," she challenges the notion that African culture is inferior:

But, how, presumptuous shall we hope to find
Divine acceptance with th' Almighty mind—
While yet (O deed ungenerous!) they disgrace
And hold in bondage Afric's blameless race?

By questioning the enslavement of Africans, Wheatley highlights the hypocrisy of a society that claims to uphold Christian values while perpetuating injustice.

The poems of Phillis Wheatley provide a powerful glimpse into her unique perspective as a poet, an enslaved person, and a woman. Through her exploration of religion, freedom, and identity, Wheatley's words continue to resonate with readers today. Her ability to articulate her own experiences while shedding light on the struggles of her community is a testament to her poetic genius and enduring legacy.