Sunday, March 14, 2010
Wheatley had advantages that were beyond the dreams of most slaves. She was taught how to read and write in English and learned to read Latin. Her education and thirst for knowledge enabled her to produce beautiful, eloquent poetry.
Wheatley's peom, To the University of Cambridge, was the poem I found the most interesting. Wheatley admonishes the students at the university to appreciate their privilege and social status; they are provided with opportunities as white males that she would never be afforded. I wonder if she was jealous of their opportunities; a woman as intelligent and well-studied as her must have felt trapped by her gender and race.
Most importantly, however, she reminds the students of the grace they have received in Jesus' death and encourages them to "Let sin, that baneful evil to the soul,/By you be shunned..." and to continue to follow God. This sentiment of the love, grace, and mercy of God flows through much of Wheatley's poetry. I also appreciated the spirit of admiration for the wondrous nature of God that shows up in many of Wheatley's poems.
"Arise, my soul, on wings enraptured, rise
To praise the monarch of the earth and skies"
These are the opening lines of Thoughts on Works of Providence; which, I think, encapsulate the spirit of the poem, and Wheatley's work in general. This poem is filled with praise, admiration, and awe-struck wonder of God. This line evokes images of a bird flying through the skies. I wonder if that was how Wheatley imagined herself - flying free through the skies, praising God.
Wheatley's peom, To the University of Cambridge, was the poem I found the most interesting. Wheatley admonishes the students at the university to appreciate their privilege and social status; they are provided with opportunities as white males that she would never be afforded. I wonder if she was jealous of their opportunities; a woman as intelligent and well-studied as her must have felt trapped by her gender and race.
Most importantly, however, she reminds the students of the grace they have received in Jesus' death and encourages them to "Let sin, that baneful evil to the soul,/By you be shunned..." and to continue to follow God. This sentiment of the love, grace, and mercy of God flows through much of Wheatley's poetry. I also appreciated the spirit of admiration for the wondrous nature of God that shows up in many of Wheatley's poems.
"Arise, my soul, on wings enraptured, rise
To praise the monarch of the earth and skies"
These are the opening lines of Thoughts on Works of Providence; which, I think, encapsulate the spirit of the poem, and Wheatley's work in general. This poem is filled with praise, admiration, and awe-struck wonder of God. This line evokes images of a bird flying through the skies. I wonder if that was how Wheatley imagined herself - flying free through the skies, praising God.
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