Phyllis Wheatley's Life and Impact

Phyllis Wheatley, an African-born poet, was enslaved by the Wheatley family in Boston, where she was educated in the classics. Her poetry, written in a traditional European style, subtly critiqued the system of enslavement. She wrote a poem to the Earl of Dartmouth, drawing parallels between her personal loss of freedom and the American colonies' quest for liberty. Despite her talent, Wheatley faced challenges in publishing her work and lived a life of hardship, dying penniless at 31. Her legacy endures as a pioneer of African-American literature.

Where was Phyllis Wheatley originally from?

• France

• England

• Africa

• Boston

What was Phyllis Wheatley trained as by the Wheatley family?

• A teacher

• A domestic

• A poet

• A seamstress

Which subjects did the Wheatley family teach Phyllis?

• Mathematics and Science

• History and Geography

• Latin and Greek

• Art and Music

What style did Phyllis Wheatley use in her poetry?

• Contemporary Asian

• Modern American

• Traditional European

• Ancient African

What was a significant theme in Phyllis Wheatley's poetry?

• Love

• Nature

• Freedom

• Technology

What was the main theme of Phyllis Wheatley's poem to the Earl of Dartmouth?

• Love and Romance

• Freedom and Liberty

• War and Peace

• Nature and Environment

What personal experience does Phyllis Wheatley describe in her poem?

• Her travels

• Her marriage

• Her capture and enslavement

• Her education

What was the relationship between Phyllis Wheatley's personal experiences and her poetry?

• Her poetry focused on historical events

• Her poetry was purely fictional

• Her experiences deeply influenced her poetry

• They were unrelated

How does Phyllis Wheatley use her poetry to advocate for freedom?

• By writing novels

• By aligning her plight with the American cause

• By painting portraits

• By composing music

What did Phyllis Wheatley highlight through her poetry?

• Her travels

• Her wealth

• Her education

• Her plight and the plight of others