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Post by Ms. Knarr on Mar 29, 2012 7:32:56 GMT -5
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Post by anniepirone on Apr 5, 2012 9:46:14 GMT -5
1. To me, the overall meaning of this essay was to emphasize how strong of an individual Phillis Wheatley was during her life. This essay begins by briefly covering all of the "un-natural" occurrences that Phillis had gone through since she was about 7 years old, and had first entered slavery. After a brief summary, the author goes deeper into Phillis' life by talking about not only what she had done for herself to succeed, but by giving credit to those who were involved in her life and had helped her grow to become the woman she had. After reading this essay, one can conclude many ideas. For example, one concept I had learned after reading this essay is that, (as we already know) many slaves had little freedoms given to them while being slaves, and if a slave knew how to read and write, poetry could be the perfect scapegoat to help them endure through the slavery life style. One noticeable literary device used in this essay is repetition. The author of this essay had constantly used repetition before changing topics, and also to add emphasis to their argument.
2. After reading this essay, my overall opinion is in favor of this piece of literature. Not only did the author accredit Phillis for her struggles and successes in life, but she had also given much credit to those involved in Phillis' life, such as John & Suzannah Wheatley, and Phillis' husband , John Peters. I do think that the author had placed too much emphasis and importance on races though. I feel that the author could have easily succeed in the same argument without such great emphasis in race.
3. 1)Do you think that if the language barrier and inability to read and write wasn't present during times of slavery, our nation would have more African American authors than we currently have now?
2)How do you think Phillis' life would differ is the Wheatley's hadn't been so hospitable and loving to Phillis?
3) What impact do you think Phillis Wheatley had on literature?
4) Do you think it was fair that Phillis' husband, John, couldn't retrieve any of her works after he knew that publishers had them and were unwilling to give them back?
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Post by mattstyczynski on Apr 5, 2012 16:21:45 GMT -5
1. I agree with what Annie had to say about the overall meaning of the essay, including the author's use of repitition. I believe this piece was written to show us how incredibly strong of a person Phillis Wheatley was. Phillis Wheatley was 7 years old when she was brought to America, and was immediately bought into slavery by Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley. However, contrary to how most slaves were treated, Phillis was never mistreated, she was infact loved. Phillis was literate at a very young age, which I think gave her the opportunity to express not only her own feelings and hardships, but also those of slaves berfore and after her. I believe Phillis Wheatley became a "voice" for slaves who could not "speak" in literature. I think the author also wanted to express that Phillis Wheatley was a very unique and special individual, who accomplished things that no other African American had ever done.
2. After reading this piece I grew a greater appreciation and understanding for Phillis Wheatley. Reading that she was only 7 when she came to America and immediately became a slave, but had the determination to overcome it, showed me how strong of an individual Phillis Wheatley was. I also liked how the author wrote the piece in a timeline format, going through Phillis' life chronologically. The piece was easy and enjoyable to read and I gained a better understanding as well as additional information about Phillis Wheatley's life. Overall I enjoyed reading this piece about one of poetry's most famous poets.
3. (answering question 3) I believe that Phillis Wheatley had a tremendous impact on literature. She layed the foundation for African American writers and poets to come. She also helped lead the way for female writers, because she was not only the first African American to be published, but also the second woman. Phillis Wheatley inspired and still gives inspiration to writers and poets of all race with her deeply emotional pieces. I think if the world did not have Phillis Wheatley, literature would be alterd for certain.
(my question) What do you think Phillis Wheatley did to change the minds and hearts of Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley about her being more than just a slave?
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Post by anniepirone on Apr 9, 2012 15:21:30 GMT -5
To answer your question Matt, I think that Phillis didn't have to do anything to change the minds and hearts of The Wheatleys. I believe that the Wheatleys had seen the innocence in Phillis , and deep down had realized that this child had done nothing wrong to work in forced labor. To be honest, the Wheatleys could have seen potential in Phillis, or they could have had a change of heart at the auction the day they had bought her. One cannot be entirely sure of the Wheatley's mindset and impression of Phillis, but we can infer that potential was seen, and Phillis was accepted as a person with talents rather than a worker with slave-like abilities. Without the Wheatley's support and love for Phillis, Phillis' poetry may not be in existence today.
Q: Do you think that Phillis could have risen as an author regardless of the family that had purchased her?
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Post by Gabby McGovern on Apr 11, 2012 0:24:26 GMT -5
1. I believe that the overall meaning of this essay is that you can succeed in life, even if you started out with nothing, just like Phillis Wheatley. As Annie and Matt have said, this essay serves to explain the struggles that Phillis faced. However, her struggles shaped her as a person, and they made her into a strong, independent woman. Phillis went from being a little girl, who depended on the Wheatleys, to America's first black female poet. Eventually, Phillis became independent, and she was able to live off of the love that the Wheatleys gave her. The essay starts out by telling the story of how emotional Phillis' life really was, and it explains clearly the important events if her life. In the essay, several lines are repeated to add emphasis and emotion, just as Annie said. The essay shows the growth of Phillis Wheatley as a woman and a poet. 2. I enjoyed reading the essay because I felt as if I got to know Phillis Wheatley. I was able to really picture every struggle that she faced, and I was able to put myself in her shoes. It is very upsetting to think that at just 7 years old she was being sold to white, slave owners. I grew respect for Phillis because she was able to love the Wheatleys, even when she had been through so much. Phillis didn't let her struggles get in her way, for she became one of the most known, blacks writers. It made me happy to know that Phillis was bought by the Wheatleys because they raised her in a comfortable home. You don't hear too many stories like Phillis', which is why she is so interesting to read about. 3. Annie's second question- Phillis' life would have been much different if the Wheatleys hadn't been so hospitable and loving towards her. If the Wheatleys never bought Phillis, she could have been bought by a cruel slave owner. The Wheatleys really did save Phillis. If Phillis was bought by someone else, she might not have received the same type of life that the Wheatleys provided for her. Phillis then would have had to work the hard life of a slave. Phillis' life with the Wheatleys was different then the other slaves' lives with their owners. My question- Can you infer that Phillis was content with being raised by white people? |
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Post by gabbymcgovern on Apr 11, 2012 0:39:09 GMT -5
Re: Essay- "The Difficult Miracle of Black Poetry"
« Reply #4 Today at 12:24am »
1. I believe that the overall meaning of this essay is that you can succeed in life, even if you started out with nothing, just like Phillis Wheatley. As Annie and Matt have said, this essay serves to explain the struggles that Phillis faced. However, her struggles shaped her as a person, and they made her into a strong, independent woman. Phillis went from being a little girl, who depended on the Wheatleys, to America's first black female poet. Eventually, Phillis became independent, and she was able to live off of the love that the Wheatleys gave her. The essay starts out by telling the story of how emotional Phillis' life really was, and it explains clearly the important events if her life. In the essay, several lines are repeated to add emphasis and emotion, just as Annie said. The essay shows the growth of Phillis Wheatley as a woman and a poet.
2. I enjoyed reading the essay because I felt as if I got to know Phillis Wheatley. I was able to really picture every struggle that she faced, and I was able to put myself in her shoes. It is very upsetting to think that at just 7 years old she was being sold to white, slave owners. I grew respect for Phillis because she was able to love the Wheatleys, even when she had been through so much. Phillis didn't let her struggles get in her way, for she became one of the most known, blacks writers. It made me happy to know that Phillis was bought by the Wheatleys because they raised her in a comfortable home. You don't hear too many stories like Phillis', which is why she is so interesting to read about.
3. Annie's second question- Phillis' life would have been much different if the Wheatleys hadn't been so hospitable and loving towards her. If the Wheatleys never bought Phillis, she could have been bought by a cruel slave owner. The Wheatleys really did save Phillis. If Phillis was bought by someone else, she might not have received the same type of life that the Wheatleys provided for her. Phillis then would have had to work the hard life of a slave. Phillis' life with the Wheatleys was different then the other slaves' lives with their owners. My question- Can you infer that Phillis was content with being raised by white people?
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Post by allisoncorchado on Apr 14, 2012 12:35:00 GMT -5
1..The meaning of this essay, to me, seemed to be to inform its reader on the struggles of African American slaves, and the unique exception that transformed history and early literature, known as Phillis Wheatley. The essay interpreted, through the astonishing rare works of Phillis, what life had been like for both whites and blacks during the seventeen hundreds. It capitalizes on how Phillis was able to intermingle with the white culture while still resorting back to her roots in Africa. It glorifies what a remarkable person Phillis was. The essay displayed both her contribution to The Revolutionary War and to the progression of women writers back in that time period. I also have to agree with what Gabby an Annie have already said. Although Phillis had much help from her white family, she still overcame the struggles that she had still been exposed to as an African American Woman. The author's use of repetition supported this fact, for when she repeats "Was it a nice day? Does it Matter?" she is saying that it didn't matter that Phillis was blessed with a family who loved her and educated her. The fact that she rose against all odds to first become literate, and then found her own voice set aside from the white men she had learned from is what truly mattered.
2. I thought that this piece was interesting. I didn't like it, nor dislike it. I felt that this piece was a bit confusing because the author gave you facts while still trying to connect and make an emotional point. For example, its format was set up in the way of an essay and a poem. The questions gave an an emotional feel, like a poem, where as the paragraphs served as the more factual portion of the essay. However, although it was a bit confusing at first, i still was able to enjoy it because i feel that i learned a lot while still getting an emotional connection.
3. Answer to Gabby's question- This is a really good question! It is difficult to infer from the text whether Phillis was really content or not. I feel that its really up to your own interpretation of who Phillis was. Just from this essay its hard to decide, i feel that reading more of her own pieces could maybe help get a better idea of whether she was really happy with the Wheatleys or not. From what i can grasp though, i think that she felt very blessed because you can tell when she talks about how bad all the other slaves have it she wants you to understand how bad it was for them and how well she had it. I think although she felt lucky she was still very lost. To put it simply, i think that she was happy with what she ended up with, but would rather be home in Africa. My Question- Do you think Wheatley's deserve the credit for Phillis' success?
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Post by briannadiassi on Apr 14, 2012 16:26:02 GMT -5
1. The overall meaning of the article seems to be how Phillis kept writing when there were bad times in her life and good times. She did what she loved to do even though all of the odds were against her, giving the time and society's views and the fact that he mother and all of her children died, she persevered and kept writing.
2. It was a good article, showed what her life and upbringing were like. It was bittersweet because even with all the bad and evils that it showed with slavery and death, it showed that she was still able to make it and become a great writer.
3. Answer to Annie's first question - I definately think we would have more African American writers. There were probably so many great minds out there, but none of them ever had the ability or opportunity to write or get their writings published. Phillis was very lucky that loving people raised her and taught her to read and write. Imagine if all people at that time could read and write and had a fair chance in America, the possibilities for great works could be endless!
My question - Why does the author of the article keep saying, "Was it a nice day?"?
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Post by matpolanco on Apr 15, 2012 18:53:49 GMT -5
This essay was used to show how Phillis Wheatley was extremely strong in her life. That she had to deal with slavery and racism and abuse. but she kept writing. It was to show how Wheatley used her history and culture in her writing. And that even in hardship she continued to write. Phillis Wheatly, like all other African - Americans, started at the bottom and worked her way up to follow her passion. Even though it was against all odds and very difficult, she still did it. And it also shows how we can not succeed alone. Everyone needs some help in some places.
I liked this piece. It reminded me of and underdog type of story. Sort of like a sports film. A woman beat all that was against her and did what she wanted to do. I love hearing these kinds of stories, it gives hope to all. It actually is very similar to the movie, The Blindside.
Allison's Question: I think the Wheatleys deserve mention and some credit. but not all. this is a type of success that can only be reached with the two parts together.
My Question: What is meant by "a Poet is someone at home?"
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