WHAT WOULD YOU SAY…

About the poet who wrote these lines?

Celestial choir! enthron'd in realms of light,

Columbia's scenes of glorious toils I write.

While freedom's cause her anxious breast alarms,

She flashes dreadful in refulgent arms.

WOULD YOU SAY??

That the poets original writings recently sold for

over $120,000?

That the poet wrote for and presented poetry for

dignitaries including the first president, George

Washington?

That the poet was considered privileged among her

people?

That the poet was an African slave sold in Boston

Harbor in 1761?

THE TRUTH IS…

The poet, Phillis Wheatley was all these things!

An original letter of Wheatley’s did sell in a New York City

Auction for $120,000

Phillis Wheatley was an African slave, born in the West

African nation of Senegal and purchased by John Wheatley

in Boston in 1761

She was considered “privileged” for slaves of her time

She did present poetry for dignitaries

A BRIEF B IOGRAPHY ON PHILLIS WHEATLEY

Born in 1753 in Senegal

When she was 7 years old, John Wheatley purchased her in

Boston; she was to be the personal servant to his wife

The Wheatley’s educated her, a privilege unusual for a slave

She quickly mastered English and went on to learn Greek and

Latin• She alluded Boston scholars by translating the classic,

Ovid• Her style was influenced by neoclassical writers, including

Alexander Pope

TODAY

She is still considered an influential African poet

It is debated how much her poetic “voice”

demonstrates the African experience• She is celebrated• But some debate whether she accurately represents

the voice of an African slave in the 18th century

AS YOU READ

Examine her language

Examine her use of allusion and imagery

Examine her choice of topics

Determine whether you think she accurately

represents the voice of a slave