Wheatley Flashcards
What did poems by Phillis Wheatley demonstrate?
Devout Christianity, knowledge of classic Greek and Latin and other English poets, awareness of current events & prominent people of the day
No example sentence provided
What cause did Phillis Wheatley support?
American Independence
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What criticism did Phillis Wheatley face in the 20th century?
Being too conventional and conformist, lacking political engagement
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What burden did Phillis Wheatley have when it came to her poetry?
She had to prove she could express herself in a manner acceptable to the dominant culture
Her only models for poetry were European American ones
What did Wheatley accomplish with her poems in 1773?
Launched two traditions simultaneously: black American literary tradition & black women’s literary tradition
Unique in history of literature
What was significant about Wheatley as a writer?
1st African American to achieve international reputation as a writer
How was Wheatley’s authorship challenged?
Massachusetts governor, her owner & other prominent citizens testified that she ‘had been examined and thought qualified to write them’ despite being a slave
Authorship challenged
