Phillis Wheatley, Essay Example

As per the poem, Phillis Wheatley had a natural knowledge. It is because she learned how to read and write in a short time and produced a short but powerful poem about slavery. It was a surprise to many because they could not believe that a slave could read and write. People were not wondering about how she could write a poem but how possible that a slave could read and write. She arrived in America when she was seven years, and when she was 14 years, she could read and write poems. It shows that she was fast in learning despite the fact that she was in a foreign country and at the same time working as a slave. She was the first African-American learn Latin and Greek, something that others slaves who had worked for many years could not understand. In addition, Phillis had understandable and caring employer who would not restrict her from being exposed and learning many things. Slaves were to work as servants in the farm and the house, but Phillis had more freedom that she learned how to read and write. After writing a book and poems on various subjects like Moral and religious, Phillis achieved success in both America and England. After achieving her success, her master freed her from slavery to continue practicing her career. She was good in making decisions because she decided to accept change without any sign of rejection. Phillis accomplishment of her education created a different picture on the Europeans and colonial view in general. It is because the Europeans were very sure that the blacks could not learn in any way. The case of Phillis proved them wrong and they remained cautious when dealing with the blacks. The Europeans created some strict restrictions, which could prevent the blacks from learning. It is because the Europeans knew that the blacks would discover their rights if they were allowed to learn and they would not accept to work as slaves at homes and in the farm. I do not agree with the criticism of Phillis. It is because she addressed various themes, which were touching everybody both Africans and Americans. Phyllis wrote a poem touching on the themes like salvation, Christianity, and slavery. She did not portray in discrimination in her book and poems. Is she could have wrote only about the problems affecting the slaves, she would have been restricted and even confined by her master and any other masters in the foreign country. She used her knowledge and touched on general themes, which made her to be freed from slavery. It is because that she was neutral and addressing matters touching all people equally that she was freed from slavery. Christianity and salvation were the themes spearheaded by the Americans and slavery was the theme affecting the Africans who were working as slaves. The poem addressed the issues of both the Americans and African Americans. Phillis was unique African, and she knew what she was doing. She was ready for any change. She changed her name, country, religion and even her whole life. Many people do not accept all these changes. Phillis found a new life after she was converted to Christianity and she dropped everything including religion and culture. Phillis should not be criticized in any way as she did what she felt was right for all people.

Harriet was born to slavery where she spends her earlier years in their happy home with father and mother who were well off slaves. When Harriet’s mother died, she was six years and sent to stay with her mother’s mistress. Harriet was treated well and taught how to read and write. The mistress died, and Harriet was taken to a relative who was neglectful and cruel. Dr. Flint was interested in Harriet, and he tried to force her to a sexual relationship. Harriet rejected her attempts and kept some distance. Knowing that Flint would do anything possible to have her, she accepted to be in a relationship with a neighbor by the name Mr. Sands. She hoped that Sands would protect her from Flint. Harriet thought that the relationship would anger Flint, and he could sell her to Sands but it did not happen. Instead, he sends Harriet to the plantation of his son to work in the field. When she discovered that the children would be send to the field, she planned to escape to the North but she could not leave her children. She decided to hide in her grandmother’s house to escape Flint. Harriet hoped that Flint would sell her children rather than disappearing. The children were sold to a slave trader who was representing Sand in secret and Harriet was overjoyed. Sands promised to free the children and send them to Aunt Martha. Harriet living conditions made her dilapidated as she watch her children in a peephole without letting to know where she was. Sands took the girl to Washington, and the son remained with Aunt Martha after Harriet fled to the North where she united with the daughter. Harriet realized that her daughter was working like a slave, and she feared she might be taken to the south where she could not reach. She worked as a nursemaid for a short time and fled to Boston when Flint pursued her and reunited with the son. Mrs. Bruce died, and Harriet spends a year in England with Mrs. Bruce daughter where she enjoyed full freedom for the first time. When she returned to Boston, her daughter went to boarding and the son went to California with her brother. Harriet remained the house girl of Mr. Bruce new wife. Flint died, but her daughter pursued Harriet to claim her ownership. They went to New York to capture her, but Harriet hide and Mrs. Bruce bought her freedom from the daughter of Flint. Harriet remained grateful to Mrs. Bruce, who continued working for her as she wrote a book. Harriet’s story is no fiction, and it shows that she was courageous and good in decision-making. When Flint tried to force her to have sexual, she made quick decisions and accepted the relationship of another man seeking for help. She courageously went to hiding risking because when Flint could find her she would be in trouble. She was quick in thinking and caring. She could not leave her children event when she is in trouble to try make them relocated secretly. Harriet was ready to work in any place so long as she has the freedom, and her children are stable. Harriet was good in making friends, a character, which saves her because she worked with many people, but she was in good terms with them with the exception of Dr. Flint. She had no problem with Flint, but he tried to abuse her by ignoring her age. Her statements fall short of facts because she indicated that she hid in her grandmother’s house for seven years. A place where she could not stand nor sit and she stayed for seven years. In addition, how could she stay with her children in the same house for seven years without letting them know where she was is not a fact. According to Washington, slavery was not brutal or evil institution. It is because before he became a student, educator, and even a national figure; he was once a slave working like other slaves. Washington gave the morale to other slaves that with time and their perseverance they would be successful in the future. From a slave to a co-founder of the bigger university currently is a great achievement, which would encourage other slaves. When Washington as young and working as a slave she had, an ambition of being educated to become a man of action in the community. It would enable him to help other people who are under pressure in slavery since he understood more about slavery. Washington viewed slavery as a stage that prepares people with ambitions to persevere for their future. He acted as a good example to many people both the slaves and other Americans.