Phillis Wheatley's Education: A Foundation for Literary Excellence
Phillis Wheatley Peters, though subjected to the institution of slavery, rose to prominence as one of the most celebrated poets in pre-19th century America. Her education within the household of John Wheatley, a prominent Boston commercialist, coupled with her literary achievements, served as a powerful testament for abolitionists, demonstrating that Black individuals possessed both artistic and intellectual capabilities.
Early Life and Acquisition of Knowledge
Born around 1753 in West Africa (Senegal/Gambia), Phillis Wheatley was seized and transported to Boston in August 1761 as part of a shipment of enslaved people deemed unsuitable for rigorous labor. Susanna Wheatley, seeking a domestic servant, purchased the frail, seven-year-old girl, recognizing something special in her.
Instead of relegating her solely to domestic duties, the Wheatley family, including their children Nathaniel and Mary, nurtured Phillis's intellectual potential. They taught her to read and write, opening the doors to a world of knowledge. Phillis immersed herself in the Bible, astronomy, geography, history, British literature (particularly Milton and Pope), and the Greek and Latin classics, studying Virgil, Ovid, Terence, and Homer.
Mary Wheatley, the 18-year-old daughter of John and Susanna Wheatley, took Phillis as a student and taught her how to read and write. Soon, Phillis was fluently reading the Bible. The Wheatleys were a progressive family and did not see anything immoral in educating a slave. Mary was not intimidated by Phillis’ intelligence; contrarily, she taught her everything she knew and encouraged her to write poetry. Phillis was exempted from heavy housework to give her time to enrich her knowledge. She was not regarded as a servant but as a companion. She learned Latin and translated one of Ovid’s tales. She studied Greek classics such as Homer, Plato and Socrates and Latin classics such as Horace and Cicero.
Literary Beginnings and Recognition
Phillis Wheatley's literary journey began at a young age. While scholars once believed "An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of that Celebrated Divine, and Eminent Servant of Jesus Christ, the Reverend and Learned George Whitefield" (1770) was her first published work, it was later discovered that her poem "On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin," written at age 13, appeared in the Newport, Rhode Island, Mercury in 1767. However, it was the Whitefield elegy that catapulted her to national fame.
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By the age of 18, Phillis had compiled a collection of 28 poems. Facing a lack of support from colonists, she and the Wheatleys sought a publisher in London. She forwarded the Whitefield poem to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, who had been Whitefield's chaplain.
In May 1771, Phillis, accompanied by Nathaniel, traveled to London. She was welcomed by prominent figures, including the Earl of Dartmouth, Baron George Lyttleton, Sir Brook Watson, John Thorton, and Benjamin Franklin. Her work garnered attention and praise, paving the way for the publication of her book.
"Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral"
In 1773, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" was published in London, marking a historic moment as the first book of poetry by an enslaved Black woman. The collection showcased her mastery of the couplet form, both iambic pentameter and heroic. Elegies constituted over a third of her works, with poems dedicated to noted individuals, friends, and even strangers.
Wheatley's poems often explored classical themes and techniques. In "Niobe in Distress for Her Children Slain by Apollo," she translated Ovid and added her own lines to enhance the dramatic imagery. She also incorporated biblical symbolism to evangelize and comment on slavery. Her famous poem, "On Being Brought from Africa to America," urged the Great Awakening audience to include Africans in the Christian faith, reminding them that "Negroes, black as Cain, / May be refin'd and join th' angelic train."
Her poetry expressed Christian themes, and many poems were dedicated to famous figures. Over one-third consist of elegies, the remainder being on religious, classical and abstract themes. She seldom referred to her own life in her poems.
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Wheatley also celebrated America in her poems, referring to the nation as "Columbia." She corresponded with George Washington and even met him. Colonial leaders such as Thomas Hutchinson, John Hancock, Andrew Oliver, James Bowdoin, and Reverend Mather Byles attested to the authenticity and quality of her work.
Themes and Style
Wheatley's poetry often reflected her deep understanding of the Bible and 18th-century evangelical Christianity. She employed biblical allusions and symbolism to address the issue of slavery. Some scholars believe she strategically used religious language to encourage church members to take action against the institution.
Her style was influenced by British Neoclassical poets such as Alexander Pope and was largely concerned with morality, piety, and freedom.
Wheatley's use of classicism has been examined, with scholars noting her knowledge of Greek and Roman literature and mythology. She incorporated classical allusions and themes into her poems, demonstrating her intellectual prowess and aligning herself with established literary traditions.
Some scholars thought Wheatley's perspective came from her upbringing. The matter of Wheatley's biography, "a white woman's memoir", has been a subject of investigation.
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Manumission, Marriage, and Later Life
Phillis Wheatley was manumitted in 1774, shortly before Susanna Wheatley's death. While the Wheatleys provided her with a unique environment, she still occupied a servant's position. After the deaths of Susanna, John, and Nathaniel Wheatley, Phillis's life took a different turn.
In 1778, she married John Peters, a free Black man with entrepreneurial aspirations. However, economic conditions and societal prejudices made it difficult for Peters to succeed. The couple faced poverty, and Phillis experienced hardship.
Despite these challenges, she continued to write and publish poems, seeking support for a second volume of poetry. However, she was unable to secure enough subscribers. She published An Elegy, Sacred to the Memory of that Great Divine, The Reverend and Learned Dr. Samuel Cooper in 1779.
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