Research Paper On Phillis Wheatley

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Phillis Wheatley, who is now known as one of America’s most scholarly writers, has made a major impact on American Literature today. Her role in Literature had influenced many African Americans during this time period because it was very uncommon for them to become educated. Her poems made some people realize that they shouldn’t have slaves. Many people say that Phillis Wheately should go down in history as a hero while others say that she should not. Phillis is a historical hero because of the extraordinary courage that she showed by writing her poems while facing the adversities that she encountered. People disagree with this statement because they say that she did not make a difference in history. Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa …show more content…

She makes you think about the wrong doings that were going on in this time period. It was very brave of her to talk about the things that she talked about especially while being a slave. During this time period she probably faced a lot of criticism of her works and many believed that someone was writing her poems for her because they were so good and it was uncommon for a black lady to write a poem as well as she did. As a young black lady who has to go through slavery and other adversities this was a very hard time period for them but Wheatley stood strong and followed in what she believed in. She fought for equality and freedom for African American men and women. I think the part that sets her as a hero is the fact that she was able to try and make a change in history as a black woman. Her literary works helped change the way we look at society today. Phillis had a strong opinion about just because you are a certain race or gender does not mean that you are less of a person that anyone else. And I think that this is one of the points that Phillis tried to prove in her poems. She wanted to push for equality and to make the world a better place. In the poem “To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth, His Majesty’s Principle Secretary of State for North America, &c.” Wheatley brings out her true emotions and suffuses to the readers how she really feels. This poem praises the freedom that America has gained from …show more content…

She also showed a sense of ambition throughout her life. People did not believe that Phillis was actually writing her books and poems so she had to get the Wheatley’s to publish her books for her. She had to go through many difficult incidents just to get her works published. Although people tried to bring her down and stop her from achieving her goals she still over came those obstacles and found the right support that she needed in order to achieve the purpose of having her voice heard to the people who read her works. Her faith in God was absolutely exceptional. She knew that everything happened for a reason and that God would spare her and would allow her to live a better life. In “On Being Brought From Africa To America” she states “Remember, Christians, Negros, Black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” The purpose of this part of the poem was to make sure that people knew that color or race was not a part of the test to make it into heaven. Christianity is not based on a person’s gender, race, or color. She thought that all Christians were entitled to live freely and not under slavery and still be able to make it into heaven. This was another reason why she was so successful in changing the

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