On Being Brought From Africa To America By Phillis Wheatley

The poem by Phillis Wheatley, “On Being Brought from Africa to America”, gives the reader a glimpse into her life. She was taken from her country and was fortunate enough to have been purchased by a wealthy family. In this poem, we gain a brief insight into her inner feelings about her situation and the life of a slave girl in the 1770’s. This piece has historical and psychological elements of literature. Phillis was kidnapped from her home country in West Africa when was about eight years old. As we read this poem, it gives us insight into the life of a girl of color. It tells that she was forcefully taken from her family and thrown onto a slave ship. Phillis did not know that she was bound for a foreign country. Her writings

The article states, “Most critics agree that the fact that a slave could write and publish poetry at that time and place is itself noteworthy in history” (Johnson, 2015). Wheatley states, “Some view our sable race with scornful eye” (Wheatley 5). She is openly saying that she is not white, but she gives herself the color of sable. The word sable could mean positive or negative in this poem. To be sable is not the typical white person of the time. She would be giving her color away to the white establishment, which could in turn, bring her misfortune. There were numerous people of the time that would not purchase works of those of color. The word sable could also mean something positive. Sable is a rich word. The reader may find themselves wanting to associate with someone because of the sable or wealthy connotation of the word. Wheatley’s color was beneficial but not necessarily

She wants others to be aware that the change in thinking can be good. She writes as though she is happy, and her Christian values have helped to bring out that psychological impact. Often change is not seen as something positive. Ms. Wheatley believed that being taken from a nation of pagans and poverty was a good thing. Her writings allow the reader to appreciate her views of her life prior to being kidnapped. Being a slave was better than being free in her home country. Now she has found God and will someday go on the “Angelic train” (Wheatley 8). This means that someday she will really be free to make her own choices. She will really be rich and have all that she needs. When she writes, “Once I redemption neither sought nor knew” (Wheatley 4), we understand she has moved into a different perspective with her life, and she does not want to go back to her home country. Her psychological views have made her a better person by knowing life is going to get