Compare And Contrast Wheatley And Harriet Douglass

Slavery: Equality v. Anti-slavery
Harriet Jacobs was raised as though she was not a slave; however, when she turned 6 years old her mother died and she realized the truth about her heritage. Nevertheless, her life was not that bad because her mistress was very kind to her. However, that was until her mistress passed away and gave Jacobs to her niece, whose father is a controlling manipulative man. Phillis Wheatley, on the other hand, was brought to Massachusetts from Senegal in 1761, on a slave ship at the age of 8. To much her advantage, Wheatley was bought by John Wheatley who, with the help from his wife, educated Phillis to the point she became fluent in latin and greek. She soon started writing poetry and at the age of 12 published her first poem. Wheatley and Jacobs, with the use of imagery, wrote their writings to educate those who they thought did not have enough information on slave life and religion.
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Phillis Wheatley believed that christianity saved her from her “native shore/ the land of errors” (Phillis Wheatley's, 2001, line 2-3).

She was very grateful to be saved that in lines 5 and 6 she exclaimed “Father of mercy, ‘twas thy gracious hand/ Brought me in safety from those dark abodes”(2001). With the use of imagery she clearly states how she is happy that she was taken away from her dark home. However, though very thankful for her salvation, she did wish for everyone to be equal. “ An Ethiop tells you, ‘tis your greatest foe” (Phillis Wheatley's, 2001, line 28). She refers to herself as an ethiopian and while mocking them, says its her that tells them things; however, she is not allowed

to.
Harriet Jacobs, on the other hand, was never thankful for slavery. She also did not have that bad of an upbringing but once she entered the Flint’s home it all changed. With the help from Dr. Flint, Jacobs realized how bad slavery was for girls. Slave owners could do anything they wanted with slaves; however, when the slave was a girl the men would sexually abuse the woman. However, even though he had much determination Dr. Flint never got the chance to sexually abuse Jacobs, but she made sure to explain fully his determination. After told that Dr. Flint was building a house just for her, that he could enter at any time, Jacobs showed much displeasure. With much imagery she states, “ I had rather toil on the plantation from dawn til dark, I had rather live and die in jail, than drag on, from day to day, through such a living death” (Jacobs, 2001, pg. 47). As well as Imagery, Jacobs also uses an oxymoron in that sentence; by stating “living death” she further implies how miserable she would be living with Dr. Flint and how she would basically be dead inside. Another time Jacobs further develops her claim on anti-slavery is after she has had Benny, her first child. On page 65, she exclaims, “I shed bitter tears that I was no longer worthy being respected by the good and pure” (2001). She declares that slavery has taken away her innocence, or to further exclaim, her virginity; it has ruined her life.