The Life and Legacy of Phillis Wheatley

The Cultural Resonance of Wheatley's Elegy to Whitefield

The elegy Phillis Wheatley wrote for George Whitefield, a well-known minister who advocated for the spiritual equality of all races, was a significant work in her oeuvre. This poem caught the attention of Selina Hastings, the Countess of Huntingdon, a patron of Whitefield's and a supporter of abolition. The Countess's patronage was instrumental in Wheatley's introduction to the London publisher Archibald Bell. However, Wheatley had to prove her authorship to skeptics who doubted her literary abilities due to her race and status as an enslaved person.

Authenticating Wheatley's Authorship

To verify her authorship, Phillis Wheatley underwent an examination by a panel of prominent Bostonians, including statesman John Hancock. Their certification of her work was a necessary step to counteract the pervasive disbelief that an African American woman could produce such literature. This attestation was a testament to Wheatley's remarkable intellect and a rebuke to the racist assumptions of her time.

Exploring the Themes in Wheatley's Poetry

"Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" is a collection of twenty-eight poems that explore themes of spirituality, morality, and human experience. Wheatley's elegiac poetry provided comfort to the bereaved, and she also addressed the students of Harvard College, reflecting on the nature of education and virtue. Her first published poem, written after overhearing a discussion about a near-death experience at sea, demonstrated her early poetic talent and her ability to engage with a wide range of subjects.

Wheatley's Poetic Style and Influences

Phillis Wheatley's poetry is noted for its neoclassical style, particularly her use of heroic couplets, a form popularized by the English poet Alexander Pope. Her work is rich with literary devices such as personification, alliteration, and allusion, which she used to convey complex ideas and emotions. Wheatley's mastery of poetic form and her intellectual engagement with the themes of her time allowed her to critique the institution of slavery and advocate for the equality of all souls.

The Enduring Legacy of Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley's contributions to American literature are profound. Her book "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral" not only challenged the racist ideologies of the 18th century but also paved the way for future generations of African American writers. Her legacy is celebrated for its historical significance and for the powerful example she set as a writer who overcame tremendous obstacles to share her voice and vision with the world.