Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

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She was born in West Africa. At just the age of 8 years old, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery. She was transported to North America and arrived in Boston Massachusetts. She was introduced to the Wheatley family who bought her and introduced her to reading and writing, making her the first published female African American poet.

Phillis Wheatley was born in the year, 1753 in West Africa, present day Senegal. When she turned 8 years old, she was brought on the ship called The Phillis, to British ruled Boston, Massachusetts on July 16th, 1761 to be sold for slavery.

Phillis was then sold to the wealthy merchant and tailor, John Wheatley, for his wife, Susanna. They named the young girl Phillis after the name of the boat she came on. Phillis was taken under Susanna’s wing to be a servant. She suffered …show more content…
*Excerpt from her book*

She focused her poems on her own beliefs and ideas. She used three primary elements in her works: Christianity, classicism, and hierophantic solar worship.

After the publication of her book, Phillis went to London to promote her poems, and also received medical treatment for her ongoing health problems. There she met with many important figures in British society.

When she returned from London, Phillis’ life changed significantly. She was freed from slavery, but also faced the deaths of her masters, John and Susanna.

Along with Wheatley’s poetry, she was able to express her thoughts and concerns to others. In 1775, she sent a copy of a poem, “To His Excellency, George Washington” to him. One year later, Washington invited her to come visit in his headquarters in Cambridge.

When 1778 came around, Phillis married John Peters, a free African American. They had three children who all died in their early years. The couple faced constant poverty, causing strain on their marriage. With little money, Phillis had to find work as a

Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

Phillis Wheatley, is my favorite poet, Phillis Wheatley was only seven or eight years old when she was captured and taken from her home in West Africa. I would never ever want to be taken away from my home like Phillis Wheatly. Although she died poor, she died a free woman. At least she died a free woman I would want to die a free woman if i was a slave. She was purchased by the Wheatley family of Boston, who taught her to read and write and encouraged her poetry when they saw her talent. Honestly…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

to be used as free labor. For Phillis Wheatley, this was her reality since 1753, where she too had been forcefully displaced to the United States. Though the majority of her life would be before the bald eagle would become the national bird as it is today, the nature of birds being equated to freedom would persist. It is then throughout the…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

18th century, Phillis Wheatley. Phillis was brought by John and Susanna Wheatley, whose first name was given to them from the boat she was kidnapped on two years ago by Phillis. Phillis was taught how to read and write, which was not a thing then. People did not speak very well to their poem because they felt as if she wasn’t telling the truth because Phillis didn’t want to make certain people feel angry. Phillis quote “Wisdom is higher than a fool could reach’’ was loved by many Phillis wanted all…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

name Phillis Wheatley? Phillis Wheatley is an African-American that had some ups and downs in her life. Phillis Wheatley was born in 1753, in Senegal/Gambia, which is in West Africa. In 1761, Phillis was kidnapped at the age of 8 and was sent on a slave ship, by the man named John Wheatley. Phillis was sent to Boston, Massachusetts. When they got there John purchased her to be a self servant to Susanna, who is John’s wife. Phillis has a sister named Lucretia The Wheatley's taught Phillis Greek…

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Phillis Wheatley Research Paper

Phillis Wheatley was first a slave, and then a poet. After being kidnapped from West Africa and ¨enslaved, Phillis Wheatley became the first African American and one of the first women to publish a book of poetry...¨ (Biography.com). During her life she became a passionate supporter of America's fight for independence, and that led her to create works of poetry about George Washington and a meeting with him in March of 1776. Her life was full of struggle and despair, but her beautiful poems kept…

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Essay on Mercy Otis Warren and New York

1790-1850," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 68 (1944), 243-268. See also Ann Douglas, The Feminization of American Culture (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1977). l^Patricia Branca and Peter Stearns, "On the History of Modern Women, a Research Note," AHA Newsletter, 12 (September, 1974), 6. 14"Advice to a Young Lady," The American Magazine, or General Repository (July, 1769), p. 224. The poem was reprinted as "Advice to the Ladies," Virginia Gazette, ed. Purdie and Dixon (May 16, 1771)…

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