Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved African woman, achieved a remarkable feat in the 18th century by publishing a collection of poetry, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, in London in 1773. Her literary output, though limited in volume, offers a profound window into the complexities of identity, faith, and the burgeoning desire for freedom during a period of immense personal and societal constraint. While often viewed through the lens of her enslavement and the curiosity it provoked, Wheatley's work deserves to be understood on its own terms, as a sophisticated engagement with neoclassical poetic conventions that simultaneously expresses a unique perspective shaped by her lived experience. Her poems reveal a nuanced negotiation of her status, a deep engagement with Christian theology, and subtle, yet undeniable, hints of longing for liberation.
Wheatley's poetry frequently engages with themes of religion and morality, adhering closely to the conventions of the era. Her ode "To the Right Honourable the Countess of Huntingdon" and her poem "On Being Brought from Africa to America" exemplify this. In the latter, she reflects on her spiritual conversion, stating, "Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land, / Taught my benighted soul to understand." This framing, while seemingly accepting of her forced displacement, also positions her intellectual and spiritual awakening as a divine intervention. This embrace of Christianity served multiple purposes: it aligned her with the dominant religious discourse of her European audience, thereby legitimizing her intellectual capabilities, and it provided a framework for expressing aspirations for spiritual freedom that could subtly echo a desire for earthly liberty. Her consistent use of religious imagery and theological arguments allowed her to participate in a respected intellectual tradition while subtly critiquing the moral hypocrisy of a slave-holding society.
The question of Wheatley's identity is central to understanding her legacy. As a Black woman in bondage, her very existence and literary output challenged prevailing notions of racial inferiority. Her carefully crafted persona, as presented in her poetry and the prefatory materials to her collection, emphasized her piety, her intellect, and her gratitude for her education. The "Inference" by the Reverend Samuel Occom, included in Poems on Various Subjects, highlights Wheatley's exceptionalism, stating, "We are not to expect that the Negro will be as capable as the White." This underscores the societal context in which she operated, where her talent was seen as an anomaly rather than a testament to inherent Black intellectual capacity. Wheatley's self-representation, therefore, was a strategic act. By mastering the language and forms of her oppressors, she asserted her humanity and intellectual equality, forcing her readers to confront the dissonance between their beliefs about Black people and the reality of her genius.
Furthermore, Wheatley's poetry, despite its frequent deference to authority and neoclassical restraint, contains discernible undercurrents of a desire for freedom. While direct political protest was perilous, her elegies and occasional poems often carry veiled critiques. Her poem "On the Death of General Wolfe" speaks of liberty and the pursuit of glory, themes that resonate beyond the battlefield. In "To the Earl of Dartmouth," she writes, "Should you, my lord, while you thus hold the rein, / Extend your wish to ease the captive's chain," a plea that, while ostensibly for Christian charity, can be read as a broader aspiration for emancipation. The very act of composing and publishing poetry as an enslaved person was an assertion of self and a demand for recognition, a quiet rebellion against the dehumanization inherent in slavery. Her literary success, culminating in her freedom granted shortly before her death, demonstrates the power of artistic expression as a tool for asserting identity and challenging oppressive structures.
In conclusion, Phillis Wheatley's literary legacy is far more than a historical curiosity; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to transcend oppressive circumstances. Her poetry, skillfully employing the conventions of her time, served as a vehicle for asserting her intellectual and spiritual identity, challenging prevailing racial prejudices, and articulating a subtle yet persistent yearning for freedom. By engaging with religious discourse and neoclassical forms, Wheatley carved out a space for herself in the literary world, proving that eloquence and profound thought were not the exclusive domain of any race. Her work continues to inspire, reminding us of the vital role of individual expression in the ongoing struggle for human dignity and liberation.