SAMPLE+Phillis+Wheatley

=~Phillis Wheatley~=

As a young slave, education was very important to my master's family, the Wheatleys. My master wanted me to learn how to read and write in English, probably because they wanted me to convert to Christianity and read the bible. I learned very quickly, taking only sixteen months to become fluent in English. I became fascinated with latin classes and english poets. This made me want to write poetry myself. I believe the biggest achievement of mine was in 1773, when thirty nine of my poems were published into a book called "Poems on Various Subjects, Religous and Moral." I thus became the first black woman poet.

Even though I was a slave for some of my life, I was given a lot of independence. The Wheatley's gave me not only education, but a loving home. They treated me as one of their own. Because of this, I valued the needs of the community over my needs. I viewed coming to America as a blessing, but my value of the American Dream was to be free from slavery and to live on my own. My dream was to have my own life.

After countless years of being deprived, I am glad to be the foundation of expression for my people. Using my writtings, including letters and books, I hope they will follow in my footsteps and change history as I have. I am overjoyed that women, especially black women, are excepted in Liturature now. May they write wonderful masterpieces to survive through the years to come.

During the Revolutionary War I decided to write about the event through the colonists view to show the struggles that they faced.

'TWAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew, Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their colour is a diabolic die." Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
 * __On being brought from Africa to America __**

Phillis Wheatley wrote her poetry in a very proper way for a slave at that time. She writes with classical quality and restrained emotion. She used classic mythology and ancient history in her works. The writing of her own enslavement was restrained. Today most authors do write using slang and not as many people write in the proper way she used. For example this is a verse from the poem A Farewel to America to Mrs. S. W.: Susanna mourns, nor can I bear To see the crystal show'r, Or mark the tender falling tear At sad departure's hour;.



I believe that Phillis Wheatley would still be writing poetry if she was alive today. The only thing different would be her topics. She probably would be writing about conflicts in the world today. They might talk about war, recent natural disasters, third world countries, or the fight for equal human rights. She would contribute many great pieces of literature, and her works would show new views on the world today. They may even give people new ideas on how to help.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON

Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light, Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write. While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms, She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms. See mother earth her offspring's fate bemoan, And nations gaze at scenes before unknown! See the bright beams of heaven's revolving light Involved in sorrows and veil of night! The goddess comes, she moves divinely fair, Olive and laurel bind her golden hair: Wherever shines this native of the skies, Unnumber'd charms and recent graces rise. Muse! bow propitious while my pen relates How pour her armies through a thousand gates, As when Eolus heaven's fair face deforms, Enwrapp'd in tempest and a night of storms; Astonish'd ocean feels the wild uproar, The refluent surges beat the sounding shore; Or thick as leaves in Autumn's golden reign, Such, and so many, moves the warrior's train. In bright array they seek the work of war, Where high unfurl'd the ensign waves in air. Shall I to Washington their praise recite? Enough thou knw'st them in the fields of fight. Thee, first in peace and honours,—we demand The grace and glory of thy martial band. Fam'd for thy valour, for thy virtues more, Hear every tongue thy guardian aid implore! One century scarce perform'd its destined round, When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found; And so may you, whoever dares disgrace The land of freedom's heaven-defended race! Fix'd are the eyes of nations on the scales, For in their hopes Columbia's arm prevails. Anon Britannia droops the pensive head, While round increase the rising hills of dead. Ah! cruel blindness to Columbia's state! Lament thy thirst of boundless power too late. Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side, Thy ev'ry action let the goddess guide. A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine, With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! be thine

Works Cited 5 Mar. 2008 <[|http://lkwdpl.org/wihohio/whea-phi.htm>. 5 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.helium.com/tm/875144/phillis-wheatley-established-groundwork%3C/span>. Lewis, Jone J. "Phillis Wheatley." __About__. 5 Mar. 2008 . __ "Phillis Wheatley." 5 Mar. 2008 . "Phillis Wheatley." Earlyamerica__. 5 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/notable/wheatleyp/>.__ "Phillis Wheatley." Early America__. 5 Mar. 2008 <[|http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/winter96/wheatley.html>. http://www.garageband.com/song?%7Cpe1%7CS8LTM0LdsaSiZ1i1Zm8 http://www.jmu.edu/madison/center/main_pages/madison_archives/era/african/free/wheatley/poems/wash.htm

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