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 BIOGRAPHY 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