Being Brought from Africa to America

Deonca Pierce ENG 350 the Statesn Literature I 2 September 2011 Response paper 3 On Being Brought from Africa to America To the literary world, Phillis Wheatley is recognized as the first black American poet (Archiving wee America, 2011). At the young age of seven, Phillis Wheatley was stolen from her homeland of Africa and sold into slavery to caper Wheatley becoming the personal slave servant to his wife, Susannah Wheatley. She was taught to read and write English as well as the study of Latin and English literature. ascribable to this advantage, she began to write poetry that encompassed her Christian faith, her abduction from Africa and learned histories. (Woodlief, A. ) One of her most remarkable poems is, On Being Brought from Africa to America. Within this poem, she utilizes words that can excite the reader perplexed wondering if she was fully cognizant of the time and her status, a slave. In this poem she employs humankindy words, there true meaning clandestine within the text, which gives way to her knowledge and understanding of self and surroundings. It reads Twas mercy brought me from my non-Jew land, The use of this phrase can be interpreted as existence taken from a land rescind of Christianity and being delivered into the Christian faith. Taught my coloured soul to understand That theres a God, that theres a Savior too The word benighted means to be in a state of moral or intellectual darkness. This represents her at a time lack of knowledge and faith before becoming a slave. at one time I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our mysterious slipstream with scornful eye, Their color is a diabolic dye. The color of dim is a very dark shade of black fur that is considered of import and alluring.In contrast, she references to it being a diabolic dye impresses upon the negative thoughts and feelings of others toward her race and status. Remember Christians Negros, black as Cain, May be refind, and join th angelic train. (Phi llis Wheatley, AEA) The last two lines points to state that Christians are treating their fellow man Negros, Blacks in the same manner as Cain treated his brother (NKJV, 11), void of regard, love or acceptance. Furthermore, that as Christians all, black and white can pay back together as one, knowing the Savior.Phillis Wheatley understood her burden and her blessing. Giving atmosphere to God as well as accepting her fate not being ashamed but rather thankful for the negative antecedent that turned into a positive effect for her. Works Cited Genesis 4. invigorated King James Version. Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds. Nashville Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982 Phillis Wheatley Americas first Black charwoman Poet. Archiving Early America. 2 Sept. 2011 Sable. Dictionary. com. 2 Sept. 2011 Woodlief, A. On Phillis Wheatley. 2 Sept. 2011