'Being Brought from Africa to America\r'

'Deonca Pierce ENG 350 American Literature I 2 September 2011 Response paper 3: â€Å"On be Brought from Africa to America” To the literary world, Phillis Wheatley is accepted as the first black American poet (Archiving primeval America, 2011). At the young age of seven, Phillis Wheatley was stolen from her homeland of Africa and change into knuckle downry to John Wheatley becoming the personal slave servant to his wife, Susannah Wheatley. She was taught to read and write side of meat as well as the study of Latin and English literature.\r\nDue to this advantage, she began to write poetry that encompassed her Christian faith, her abduction from Africa and acquire histories. (Woodlief, A. ) One of her most notable poems is, â€Å"On Being Brought from Africa to America”. Within this poem, she utilizes words that can let the reader perplexed wondering if she was fully advised of the time and her status, a slave. In this poem she employs slicey a(prenominal) wor ds, there true meaning hidden inside the text, which gives way to her knowledge and understanding of self and surroundings. It reads: ‘Twas mildness brought me from my pagan land, The use of this phrase can be interpreted as being taken from a land void of Christianity and being delivered into the Christian faith. Taught my overwhelm soul to understand That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior overly: •The word benighted means to be in a state of moral or capable ingloriousness. This represents her once lack of knowledge and faith earlier becoming a slave. Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our mysterious race with scornful eye, â€Å"Their color is a hellish dye. ” •The color of sable is a very dark shade of black fur that is considered valuable and alluring.\r\nIn contrast, she references to it being a diabolic dye impresses upon the electronegative thoughts and feelings of others toward her race and status. Remembe r Christians; Negros, black as Cain, whitethorn be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train. (Phillis Wheatley, AEA) •The depart two lines points to state that Christians are treating their fellow man Negros, Blacks in the same manner as Cain do by his brother (NKJV, 11), void of regard, love or acceptance. Furthermore, that as Christians all, black and white can come in concert as one, knowing the Savior.\r\nPhillis Wheatley understood her burden and her blessing. self-aggrandizing glory to God as well as accepting her fate not being embarrassed but rather thankful for the negative stimulate that turned into a positive effect for her. work Cited â€Å"Genesis 4. ” New King James Version. Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds. capital of Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982 â€Å"Phillis Wheatley: Americas first Black Woman Poet. ” Archiving aboriginal America. 2 Sept. 2011 Sable. â€Å"Dictionary. com. ” 2 Sept. 2011 Woodlief, A. â€Å"On Phillis Wheatley. ” 2 Sept. 2011\r\n'