B1 : Historical Context of the Period . The late 17th and 18th century , known as the " Age of Reason , " a cultural movement was taking place throughout Europe and America . This was a time that shifted ways of thinking in individualism , reason , and skepticism toward traditional authorities , both religious and political . Early American politicians were influenced by the rationalist philosophers that questioned the traditional authorities on kings and the church , and looked instead to individuals that could rule themselves based on their own reason . The rise of humanists took place during this period with the belief of equality and human dignity . The " Age of Reason , " also saw the rise of deism , which challenged supernatural occurrences as well as superstitions . This period also saw a new emphasis on religious and scientific movements to remove traditional reliance on faith and to look only to what people could discover for themselves . This period leads / led to the Industrial Revolution and French Revolution . Classical music was a theme from / of the " Age of Reason ." . (MindEdge ) B2 : Biographical Insights into the Work . African-American poet , Phillis Wheatley was born in Senegal/Gambia around 1753 …show more content…
slave to publish a book of poems , as well as the third American woman to do so . To S . M , A Young African Painter on Seeing His Works , Wheatley writes the artist's pencil gives life to figures born of his imagination and intent , and praises the power of imagination which bestows on the painter and the writer the ability to transcend the limitations of their world . For these two slave artists , those limitations would have been great indeed . Immortal fame , however , is not the highest honor they can achieve . In the last few lines , Wheatley addresses the afterlife , where their art will become more purer and noble . (enotes.com 24 Oct 2017 ) B3 : Period Theme or Style . Because the Age of Reason held logic and rationality in such preeminence , the era produced mostly nonfiction , including poetry that dealt with reason . Phillis Wheatley also invoked reason for their poetic explorations of femininity and slavery , respectively . In keeping with the Enlightenment's emphasis on rationality , Wheatley and other poets typically incorporated formal rhyme schemes and rhythms in their work , such as rhyming couplet's , "Cease , gentle Muse