100+ Why Did Phillis Wheatley Write Poems

In 1770 Wheatley wrote a poetic tribute to the evangelist George Whitefield.

Why did phillis wheatley write poems. Many deal with pietistic Christian sentiments. A list of poems by Phillis Wheatley - The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. In many Wheatley uses classical mythology and ancient history as allusions including many references to the muses as inspiring her poetry. A strong supporter of Americas fight for independence Wheatley penned several poems in honor of the Continental Armys commander George Washington.

She was emancipated from slavery about the same time that her volume of poetry was published in 1773. It is unclear precisely when Wheatley was freed from slavery although scholars suggest it occurred between 1774 and 1778. After marrying a free black man and having difficulty with childbirth poverty and illness she died at the age of 31. Born around 1753 Phillis Wheatley was the first black poet in America to publish a book.

In 1768 Wheatley wrote To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty in which she praised King George III for repealing the Stamp Act. In 1773 with financial support from the English Countess of Huntingdon Wheatley traveled to London with the Wheatleys son to publish her first collection of poems Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moralthe first book written by a black woman in America. Her poetry expressed Christian themes and many poems were dedicated to famous figures. Phillis Wheatley wrote To His Excellency General Washington to praise the cause of the Revolutionary War and to serve as an inspirational address for readers.

As the American Revolution gained strength Wheatleys writing turned to themes that expressed ideas of the rebellious colonists. In 1773 Phillis Wheatley accomplished something that no other woman of her status had done. It was her way. What can be said is that the poems of Phillis Wheatley display a classical quality and restrained emotion.

This was during the time her enslavers were alive and she was still quite the sensation. In 1776 Phillis Wheatley had written a poem to George Washington lauding his appointment as commander of the Continental Army. The Wheatleys educated Phillis. Poet Phillis Wheatley was brought to Boston Massachusetts on an enslaved person ship in 1761 and was purchased by John Wheatley as a personal servant to his wife.

Beside above what was Phillis Wheatleys goal. It included a forward signed by John Hancock and other Boston notablesas well as a portrait of Wheatleyall designed to prove that the work was indeed written by a black woman. He responded later that year with praise for her poetry. In To the University of Cambridge in New England probably the first poem she wrote but not published until 1773 Wheatley indicated that despite this exposure rich and unusual for an American slave her spirit yearned for the intellectual challenge of a more academic atmosphere.