What Makes Phillis Wheatley A Writer For The People

Phillis, the Writer of People Phillis was an exception to the norm in the 18th century, when African American writers and women were both greatly oppressed. Her work was a bridge between white oppressors, black oppressors, and bravely covered topics that few others were willing to discuss. Wheatley shows her versatility through her poems, To King’s Very Excellent Majesty & On Being Brought fro America. Through the use rhythm and subtle tone changes, Wheatley tells her stories in such a way as to be both accessible to the general public and appealing to all levels of the social hierarchy of which she was a member.

Wheatley’s writing style is one of her most memorable traits. Wheatley thought she was a writer of people. Her poetry is a constant reminder of this. In the days before America and Britain were at war, she was a poet. It is possible to believe that, as a slave, she would have opposed the British government because of her lower social standing due the slavery trade. Wheatley actually took a different approach to her work and praised people like King George or General George Washington. In her poem, To King’s Most Excelent Majesty, Wheatley praises people like General George Washington and King George. She addressed those in her position above her: “Midst your remembrances of thy favors passed, The meanest peasants least admire the last May George. Live with heav’ns choicet constant blessings crown’d!” Her word choices, “beloved and” and “blessings coron’d” reflect the idea that King George’s actions for his country and later the Americas are the most important decisions. While the poem is about King George, it also includes God’s request for him to “direct, guard [King George]” (Wheatley.pg16.line 12). Both are worthy of high praise. Wheatley refers solely to King George. She omits the formal title and emphasizes her familiarity with his name and image. Wheatley uses poetry to equalize her status and, in a large way, all African Americans’ status. Wheatley has been raised to the same level as white oppressors, yet she is still considered a lower rank in society. Poetry made it easier for everyone. It is fitting that she addressed King George and spoke highly of the practice Christianity. Because she was more radical than she was, her chances of ever being published would plummet dramatically. The line at the beginning of the poem is what stands out. This shows her inflexibility, as well as her complicity, to the point that it was written by Wheatley. (Wheatley. Page 16, line 1). Wheatley’s poetry uses iambic pentameter throughout the poem, but this line is written in iambic triometer. She is subtlely pointing out the fact that her poem’s king may not be quite as good as it seems. Although she believes in him and what his actions are, and that God will be watching over them, this line is a bit bleak. The use the word “dread”, which doesn’t usually appear in the contexts that are pleasant, doesn’t paint the king with a great light. Wheatley also leaves the words open with the caesura at end of line, as though she wanted to give her readers a moment to reflect before plunging into her poem.

Wheatley’s poetry is also influenced by rhythm. William Butler Yeats (18th- and 19th-century Irish poet) wrote about symbolism. The tone and rhythm of her religious ode towards King George are altered beautifully by Wheatley. Although she believed in King George’s power and Christianity’s subsequent power, she was still conscious of her place in society as a slave without any rights. She also knew that education and luck were the key to her success. Yeats’s analysis about rhythm in poetry can signify “the moment that we are both awake and asleep”, which is the same as Wheatley’s. Her poetry was available to those who were reading it.

Wheatley’s poem on being brought from Africa to America demonstrates the dualities she occasionally places in her poetry. Wheatley, pg17. Line 1. This expression gives America power. A black woman would openly acknowledge that the land she was born in is better than hers and renounce her roots. By the end, Wheatley reminds her white readers, however, that all colors are equally human. Wheatley sees herself as a median in this example. As a Christian and good Christian, Wheatley believes that she is equal with the people who enslaved me. However, she also praises them greatly and longs for them to be her equal.

Phillis wheatley was an extraordinary woman and poet in many ways. She understood her position, was grateful to have what she did, but she also wanted to make changes in the society she lived in. This made her situation incredibly complicated. She would not have been able to publish her work if she had refused to conform to the hierarchy. Writing was for her the most important job. She wanted to do it well and deliver it to the world. She was seen as a woman of people. She could see both the good and bad sides of the coin. She was ultimately very successful and helped to show the other side of the world.

Citations: Yeats and William Butler. Ideas of Good & Evil London; A.H. Bullen, 1903.