A Blessing in Disguise Through the Eyes of Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, an African American slave, has an unfavorable outlook on America and the slave trade. Her perspective is revealed through the writings she releases during her time period. Throughout her poems, Wheatley expresses that moving to America is a blessing from God, which is very contrary to the popular belief amongst slaves, but very much so aligned with the whites who served as her audience. Not only do Wheatley’s religious opinions set her apart from other slaves, but her ability to read and write change her viewpoint on America from a place of bondage and torture to a land of promise and opportunity.
Wheatley did not live the typical life of a slave in the 1770’s, …show more content…
In her poem, “On being Brought from Africa,” she refers to Africa as the “Pagan land,” which implies America is the land of one God, who she calls her “saviour.” She views America as a blessing from her God since she found him at the exact time she was brought into slavery, but her opinion would alter if she received the same treatments as other slaves. She only views her passage into America as a favor from God because her owners provided her with specific learning opportunities, but not many African Americans were lucky enough to be treated as equals like they deserved. Although Wheatley views the slave trade as a blessing for African Americans, she is not oblivious of the inferiority many slaves feel due to the actions and treatment of their owners. Using her awareness, Phillis acknowledges the assumption of her race as “diabolic,” subtly calling out whites for viewing blacks as inhuman. She then proceeds to comfort African Americans by telling them to join the “angelic train” to God’s salvation, so they too can benefit from his blessings. Her teaching of reading and writing opened the door for her to learn about God and create a connection with him, which she credits to her slaveowners, but she also credits God for leading her blindly to …show more content…
She reinforces this by explaining that God “nourishes all, to serve one gen’ral end, the good of man: yet man ungrateful pays.” By speaking of an “ungrateful” man, Wheatley is stating the fact that God is powerful, and there is consequences for not realizing the good he does for man. Wheatley uses this to express that white men will soon get their punishment for the unspeakable behavior they acted upon slaves despite the superior life they lived. Even though Wheatley shared the same beliefs of slavery being a blessing with the whites, she knew their reasons were corrupt and were definitely punishable by
Phillis Wheatley, an African American slave, has an unfavorable outlook on America and the slave trade. Her perspective is revealed through the writings she releases during her time period. Throughout her poems, Wheatley expresses that moving to America is a blessing from God, which is very contrary to the popular belief amongst slaves, but very much so aligned with the whites who served as her audience. Not only do Wheatley’s religious opinions set her apart from other slaves, but her ability to read and write change her viewpoint on America from a place of bondage and torture to a land of promise and opportunity.
Wheatley did not live the typical life of a slave in the 1770’s, …show more content…
In her poem, “On being Brought from Africa,” she refers to Africa as the “Pagan land,” which implies America is the land of one God, who she calls her “saviour.” She views America as a blessing from her God since she found him at the exact time she was brought into slavery, but her opinion would alter if she received the same treatments as other slaves. She only views her passage into America as a favor from God because her owners provided her with specific learning opportunities, but not many African Americans were lucky enough to be treated as equals like they deserved. Although Wheatley views the slave trade as a blessing for African Americans, she is not oblivious of the inferiority many slaves feel due to the actions and treatment of their owners. Using her awareness, Phillis acknowledges the assumption of her race as “diabolic,” subtly calling out whites for viewing blacks as inhuman. She then proceeds to comfort African Americans by telling them to join the “angelic train” to God’s salvation, so they too can benefit from his blessings. Her teaching of reading and writing opened the door for her to learn about God and create a connection with him, which she credits to her slaveowners, but she also credits God for leading her blindly to …show more content…
She reinforces this by explaining that God “nourishes all, to serve one gen’ral end, the good of man: yet man ungrateful pays.” By speaking of an “ungrateful” man, Wheatley is stating the fact that God is powerful, and there is consequences for not realizing the good he does for man. Wheatley uses this to express that white men will soon get their punishment for the unspeakable behavior they acted upon slaves despite the superior life they lived. Even though Wheatley shared the same beliefs of slavery being a blessing with the whites, she knew their reasons were corrupt and were definitely punishable by