Influence of European and European-American Models
June Jordan, "The Difficult Miracle of Black Poetry in
America or Something Like a Sonnet for Phillis Wheatley":
But here, in this surprising poem, this first Black
poet presents us with something wholly her own, something
entirely new. It is her matter of fact assertion that, “Once
I redemption neither sought nor knew,” as in: once I existed
beyond and without these terms under consideration. Once
I existed on other than your terms. And, she says, but
since we are talking your talk about good and
evil/redemption and damnation, let me tell you something you
had better understand. I am Black as Cain and I may very
well be an angel of the Lord. Take care not to offend the
Lord!
See June Jordan's essay
Discussion Questions:
In the introduction to Wheatley in another text, Gerri
Bates says, "Wheatley wrote raceless poetry. It
contained little propaganda or protest and little indication
that she is a member of the African American race"
(136). After reading these poems, do you agree or
disagree? Explain your answer.
1495:
Explain the significance of the
prefatory note to Wheatley's Poems on Various Subjects,
Religious and Moral (1773).
1496:
Explain: "The name on the title page of her Poems--Phillis
Wheatley--bears a violent history" (1496).
"On Being Brought from Africa to America" 1497:
Summarize the message of this poem.
Why is Cain associated with
blackness? Is Wheatley talking about physical or
spiritual "blackness"?
"To the Right Honorable William, Earl of Dartmouth"
1498:
Who is the Earl of Dartmouth? Why is Wheatley addressing
him?
What goddess does Wheatley discuss in
the first stanza?
Explain the second stanza.
Explain: "I, young in life, by
seeming cruel fate/Was snatched from Afric's fancied happy
seat" (24-25). How do the sentiments of these lines compare
with the message of the previous poem?
Explain the final stanza.
Other Discussion Questions:
"On Being Brought from Africa to America"
