Instructor Garnett
ENG 241
2 June 2015
Gratitude of Ash Phillis Wheatley drew attention in 18thcentury for being a black slave, and a prodigy child who wrote poems and songs. She was born in Gambia, Africa and brought to Boston as a slave when she was seven or eight years old, and became slave of John Wheatley’s wife more likely as companion. When Phillis Wheatley was acknowledged as feeble and brilliant by John Wheatley’s wife, Susanna Wheatley, she felt affection toward her. Therefore, Susanna Wheatley’s daughters taught Philllis how to read and write. Furthermore, she delivered her honest opinions through her writings. She became the first African American writer to publish a book of poetry even though other slaves were forbidden to learn to read and write at that time. Her ability to write
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“Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there’s a God, that there’s a Savior too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew” (Baym at al. 764). She introduces her slavery as a positive for it let her to know about God and shows gratitude toward her owners. One day, her master, Susanna, saw her writing on a wall with chalk, then Susanna discovered that she was an intelligent child, so she educate her in reading and writing, even English literature, Latin and the Bible. However, “Some view our sable race with scornful eye” (Baym at al. 764) as she was brought from her pagan land, and heard some people saying “Their color is a diabolic dye” (Baym at al. 764). This statement evokes of feeling empathy to the readers. If this poem was read by salves or black, they will would be able to agree upon her even though she was living in a different situation as other slaves. This does not only apply to Africans but also people in authority. She wanted the politicians who had the power to know how it feels to be called and treated in certain