Phillis Wheatley

c. 1753-1784

Life

Homes

• Africa
• Boston, Massachusetts

Occupations

• slave
• poet
• servant

Religion

• Christian

Chronology

• 1753: born in Africa
• 1761: brought to Boston, Massachusetts, where she is made the slave of Susanna Wheatley, who encourages her interest in writing
• 1767: published poems in Newport, Rhode Island newspaper
• 1773: travels to London, England
• 1773: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral
• 1773: freed
• 1778: marries John Peters

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Issues and themes

The first black American to publish a book of poetry, Phillis Wheatley wrote in a style characteristic of the 18th century. Like Alexander Pope and other English writers of the 18th century, she favored highly stylized poetry, characterized by lofty subject matter, elevated diction, classical allusions, and heroic couplets. Wheatley also is known for her religious verse, including poems such as "Thoughts on the Works of Providence" and "To S.M., a Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works."

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Work

"On Being Brought from Africa to America"

• Publication: 1773
• How does Wheatley describe her forced migration to America? Do you think other slaves shared her feelings? Why or why not?
• Analyze the poem's final couplet: "Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refined, and join the angelic train." In particular, consider Wheatley's choice of the word "refined."

"On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield, 1770"

• Publication: 1770
• Look up the term "occasional verse" in A Handbook to Literature. What makes this poem an example of occasional verse?
• Describe the diction of this poem. Is it appropriate? Why or why not?

"Thoughts on the Works of Providence"

• Publication: 1773
• What evidence of God's goodness does Wheatley cite in this poem?
• What does the speaker call humans to do in the poem, particularly the final lines? Why?

"To S.M., a Young African Painter, on Seeing His Works"

• Publication: 1773
• What does Wheatley want the painter to paint? Why?
• What is a muse? Why is Wheatley addressing it?

"To His Excellency George Washington"

• Publication: 1776
• This poem is written in heroic couplets. Try to define "heroic couplet" by analyzing the structure of the poem's lines.

Bibliography

• "Phillis Wheatley." Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter Fourth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995. 371-372.
• Wheatley, Phillis. Poems. Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter Fourth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995. 372-379.

© Mark Canada, 1997

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