On Being Brought From Africa to America

On Being Brought from Africa to America

by Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley (c. 1751-1784)

• First African American to publish a book of poetry.

• She was a slave owned by John Wheatley and was the personal assistant to Susannah, his wife.

• The Wheatleys tutored her in literature, Latin, and Greek (this was rare).

• She published her first poem in 1767 at the age of 13

• She was given her freedom in 1774 when Susannah died.

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral

• Wheatley's first and only book of poems was published in 1773

• To prove she was the author, 17 (white) men had to sign assertions

• She was the first African American, the first slave, and the third American woman to publish a book of poetry

On Being Brought from Africa to America

’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.

Multiple Select

Which words from the poem have a positive connotation about America? (choose 3)

• mercy

• Pagan

• Saviour

• redemption

• diabolic

Multiple Choice

Who is the speaker of the poem?

• An enslaved woman in America

• A free woman of color in America

• A Christian slave owner

• The friend of a Pagan slave

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.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase reveals the speaker's attitude about going to America?

• 'Twas mercy brought me

• redemption neither sought nor knew

• our sable race

• May be refin'd

Multiple Choice

How would you characterize the voice in "On Being Brought from Africa to America"?

• Angry

• Grateful

• Disturbed

• Indifferent

Multiple Choice

A theme of the poem is (remember to consider the speaker's tone)

• freedom rests on the ability to read

• all people need understanding

• bigotry toward African Americans is morally wrong

• being brought to America from Africa was an act of oppression

Multiple Choice

In lines 7-8 of "On Being Brought from Africa to America",

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

the speaker suggests that religion is--

• unavailable to pagans

• accessible to all who seek it

• unavailable to those who scorn others

• available only to those who pray fervently

Multiple Choice

The repetition of the words I know what the caged bird feels in line 7 of "Sympathy" suggests that the poet feels--

• sad

• trapped

• lonely

• bored

Multiple Choice

Who wrote "On Being Brought from Africa to America"?

• Amanda Gorman

• Maya Angelou

• Phillis Wheatley

• Helene Johnson

Multiple Select

Which TWO of the following best identify the themes of the text?

• Religion

• Social pressure

• Prejudice

• Education

• Gender

Multiple Choice

As used in line 5, what does the word "scornful" suggest about how Wheatley felt others regarded her race?

• Distaste

• Confidence

• Acceptance

• Envy

Multiple Choice

Which phrase from the text best supports the answer to number 5?

• "Taught my benighted soul to understand" (verse 2)

• "Once I redemption neither sought nor knew" (verse 4)

• "Their colour is a diabolic die" (verse 6)

• "May be refin'd, and join th'angelic train" (verse 8)