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WORKSHOPS » POETRY » PHILLIS WHEATLEY, "ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA" » READING
Phillis Wheatley, "On Being Brought from Africa"
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Reading Questions
Text on p. 1155 of the full Ninth Edition and p. 900 of the shorter Ninth Edition.
5 |
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'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train. |
Reading Questions
1. To whom is this poem addressed and what idea does it convey? How would you describe the tone that you hear on your first reading? Rebellious? Apologetic? Humble? Proud?
2. Summarize the poem in your own words. What would you consider the key words or phrases?
3. How might black and white readers today read this poem differently than eighteenth-century readers did? Describe your personal response to the poem.
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