Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

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Birds have been used as symbols for hundreds of years. Becoming the national bird of the United States of America in 1782, the bald eagle in particular has been a symbol of strength, prosperity, and freedom. Yet it wasn’t until 1865 that true freedom had begun to be granted to the enslaved population of the States. Since the 1600s, native Africans were being stripped from their homes and shipped elsewhere to be used as free labor. For Phillis Wheatley, this was her reality since 1753, where she too had been forcefully displaced to the United States. Though the majority of her life would be before the bald eagle would become the national bird as it is today, the nature of birds being equated to freedom would persist. It is then throughout the …show more content…
“But I reluctantly leave the pleasing views,” (48) She is hesitant in leaving behind the ideas of hope on the horizon. Wheatley covets for more, yet she understands innately that it will not be more than that. “Winter austere forbids me to aspire,” (50) Winter marks the transition from Autumn to Spring; it is the season of death, where life does not grow and cold persists. Here, Winter is synonymous with reality, with Fancy being akin to imagination. The reality of how life kills the budding aspirations Wheatley is reluctant to leave. “And northern tempests damp the rising fire;” (51) The violent winds of truth snuff out the light. Fires are a source of heat, emitting light that can illuminate the dark and can be used as a way of symbolizing rebirth; when fires burn down a forest, life can still prosper from that. Nonetheless, the harsh conditions extinguished this because in the end, slavery would be abolished in 1865. “Cease then, my song, cease the unequal lay.” (53) Wheatley would not live to see the emancipation of her fellow enslaved folk. Though On Imagination is a poem 53 lines long, it manages to encapsulate a heartbreaking story woven within the letters and

Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

Phillis Wheatley, is my favorite poet, Phillis Wheatley was only seven or eight years old when she was captured and taken from her home in West Africa. I would never ever want to be taken away from my home like Phillis Wheatly. Although she died poor, she died a free woman. At least she died a free woman I would want to die a free woman if i was a slave. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. Honestly…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

18th century, Phillis Wheatley. Phillis was brought by John and Susanna Wheatley, whose first name was given to them from the boat she was kidnapped on two years ago by Phillis. Phillis was taught how to read and write, which was not a thing then. People did not speak very well to their poem because they felt as if she wasn’t telling the truth because Phillis didn’t want to make certain people feel angry. Phillis quote “Wisdom is higher than a fool could reach’’ was loved by many Phillis wanted all…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

name Phillis Wheatley? Phillis Wheatley is an African-American that had some ups and downs in her life. Phillis Wheatley was born in 1753, in Senegal/Gambia, which is in West Africa. In 1761, Phillis was kidnapped at the age of 8 and was sent on a slave ship, by the man named John Wheatley. Phillis was sent to Boston, Massachusetts. When they got there John purchased her to be a self servant to Susanna, who is John’s wife. Phillis has a sister named Lucretia The Wheatley's taught Phillis Greek…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

She was introduced to the Wheatley family who bought her and introduced her to reading and writing, making her the first published female African American poet. Phillis Wheatley was born in the year, 1753 in West Africa, present day Senegal. When she turned 8 years old, she was brought on the ship called The Phillis, to British ruled Boston, Massachusetts on July 16th, 1761 to be sold for slavery. Phillis was then sold to the wealthy merchant and tailor, John Wheatley, for his wife, Susanna. They…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

Phillis Wheatley was first a slave, and then a poet. After being kidnapped from West Africa and ¨enslaved, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry...¨ (Biography.com). During her life she became a passionate supporter of America's fight for independence, and that led her to create works of poetry about George Washington and a meeting with him in March of 1776. Her life was full of struggle and despair, but her beautiful poems kept…

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Essay on Mercy Otis Warren and New York

1790-1850," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 68 (1944), 243-268. See also Ann Douglas, The Feminization of American Culture (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1977). l^Patricia Branca and Peter Stearns, "On the History of Modern Women, a Research Note," AHA Newsletter, 12 (September, 1974), 6. 14"Advice to a Young Lady," The American Magazine, or General Repository (July, 1769), p. 224. The poem was reprinted as "Advice to the Ladies," Virginia Gazette, ed. Purdie and Dixon (May 16, 1771)…

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