Introduction
“On Being Brought from Africa to America” is one of the most famous poems written by Phillis Wheatley. The author’s experience as a small child who was sold into slavery and taken to the American colonies in 1761 is described in the poem. Wheatley makes the case in this poem that anyone can find redemption through Christianity – regardless of race—as the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry.
The poets she had read, such as Thomas Gray and Alexander Pope, greatly impacted Wheatley’s writing. She expressed pride in her writing about her African origin and religion. She expressed her opposition to slavery in various letters as her criticism of it developed. Even though it seems like a calm and pacifying poem, it delivers a forceful response against racism in America by addressing the shared humanity that underlies Christian doctrine.
The Importance of Christianity
Whitley thanks God for bringing her to America and teaching her about Christianity at the poem’s beginning. She primarily recalls that she believed Africa to be a pagan nation full of atheists and discovered Christian salvation in America. She had previously been in the dark until she encountered Christianity. Believing in this God results in both benevolence and redemption. Wheatley thanked God for this atonement and explained her ignorance before. She is thankful that she has this gift right now. Because of her religion, Phyllis Wheatley believes she dwells on a higher plane. Nevertheless, there is a less bright side to being sent to America.
The Role of Slavery and Status of Enslaved
Enslaved Africans were brought to America several centuries ago, and this still affects people of color today and serves as a reminder of their ancestors’ past. Over 12 million people were transported to America from Africa between 1525 and 1866 (Trotter 23). About 10.7 million men, women, and children made it to the American beaches alive, meaning that not all of them had to undergo the horrors of a protracted journey in terrible circumstances (Trotter 27). Africans migrated primarily to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands. About 400 thousand enslaved people were brought into the country overall (Trotter 57).
Initially, Africans in the North American colonies lacked a defined legal status; officially, they were neither hired help nor enslaved people. However, the Massachusetts government was the first to sanction slavery in 1641 (Trotter16). In Virginia, a statute was passed in 1662 that stated that the offspring of slaves automatically inherited their parents’ position as enslaved people (Trotter 15). Hence, slavery was a serious matter that left a footprint on the population.
Portrayal of America
The idea of liberating from slavery and the image of America is established in the first line. It is instantly apparent that Wheatley appreciates her leaving Africa and frames it as a mercy. She draws the reader’s attention to the word “Pagan,” which she italicizes to highlight how pervasive it is in African culture. It also means that American society was far more liberated regarding religion, making her want to flee there. Therefore, it is clear from the outset of the poem that Wheatley has converted to Christianity from paganism and acknowledges that this probably would not have happened had she stayed in Africa.
As Wheatley discusses white people’s opinions about the “sable race” or those of African heritage, the motif of darkness permeates the poem’s second half. She then compares exterior and inner darkness and makes the case that Africans are equally capable of finding salvation and boarding the “angelic train” (Wheatley, line 8). Naturally, the word “angelic” is strongly associated with heaven, which makes the idea of darkness stand out nicely.
Patriotism in the Poem
It can be stated that the poem is patriotic since the speaker supports her land. Patriotism is devotion and love for one’s fatherland, for one’s people, and readiness for any sacrifice and feats in the name of the interests of one’s homeland. It means living for the betterment of the country, serving it in every possible way, and sacrificing one’s life whenever needed. In the poem sentences that follow, she refers to her African origin, saying that many people despise her and yet many people resemble her. The speaker claims that some people would interpret this color as the devil’s mark. Therefore, she was patriotic in her land despite being perceived as an enemy.
However, Wheatley lost the sense of patriotism upon being sent to America. She looked at the process of conversion as a mercy because of the inability to have the same privilege in her own country. Nonetheless, she had a sense of belonging in Africa despite her complexion.
Racism
In the poem, the neglect towards the Americans who treat blacks solely as enslaved people is evident in the fifth line. Those with dark-colored skin are frowned upon: “Some view our sable race with scornful eye” (Wheatley, line 5). This description perfectly portrays the image of America and its role in the history of slavery. The enslaved individuals were truly despised and abused by the owners. They were searching for reconciliation and freedom by pursuing spiritual goals because they could not be liberated physically.
Wheatley subtly highlights racism’s underlying superficiality through the deft use of pictures. According to the author, redemption is achievable for anyone prepared to have an open mind because the condition of the soul is more significant than the skin color. The teachings of Christianity had enlightened her “benighted soul” and rendered the hue of her skin irrelevant (Wheatley, line 2). By applying this reasoning to everyone, Wheatley contends that, in certain situations, everyone can go through the same spiritual metamorphosis.
The poem’s tone changes throughout, beginning with gratitude and ending with a bitter and critical note. Wheatley expresses gratitude for Christianity’s role in her life in the first half of the poem. She admits that she probably wouldn’t have had the chance to become a Christian if she hadn’t been sold into slavery and brought to America.
However, she critiques the racial prejudice many white Christians hold in the poem’s second half. There is a nagging sense of disillusionment among white people who reject African Americans as Christian brothers and sisters. It signifies that they were unable to accept the blacks, which caused even more terror.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the narrator, a formerly enslaved person brought to America, converted to Christianity there. Her passage from Africa to America was one of enslavement but also one of rescue. Phillis Wheatly depicted America as a place where dark-skinned people were neglected just for their complexion. The only freedom they could get was through the spiritual search. Even though the author mitigates the image of America by using imagery and symbols, the harsh reality is still felt through the words.
Works Cited
Trotter, Joe William. Workers on Arrival: Black Labor in the Making of America. University of California Press, 2021.
Wheatley, Phillis. “On Being Brought from Africa to America.” Poetry Foundation, n. d. Web.