African American Literature

1. African American Literature February 13, 2014

2. Agenda • Finish viewing of Episode 1 – Discuss Notes • Notes: Phillis Wheatley • Poems and Letters – Read and analyze

3. Phillis Wheatley • First African American to publish a book and establish an international reputation as a writer

4. Phillis Wheatley • Born in West Africa in 1753 (?), enslaved in America • Purchased in 1761 by John Wheatley, of Boston, from the slave ship “Phillis”

5. Phillis Wheatley • Early indications of intellectual precociousness prompted Wheatley family to encourage Phillis to study the Bible and read English and Latin literature • She began to write poetry in English after only 4 years of exposure to the English language

6. Phillis Wheatley • Anxious about her delicate health, Wheatley family lightened her work load to light household duties • First poem published in newspaper in 1767, with more to follow • Travelled to England in 1773 to oversee publishing of her book

7. Phillis Wheatley • Emancipated at the age of 20 • In 1776, wrote a letter and poem to George Washington to encourage his pursuit of liberty • Remained in the Wheatley household until both died, then married a free black man

8. Phillis Wheatley • Wrote nothing during first 5 years of marriage • Family not financially stable…lived in poverty • Published several poems in 1784 prior to her death on December 5, 1784

9. “On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield” (1770) • Read and mark the poem’s rhyme scheme • Left margin: what is the poem saying? (summary phrases ok)

10. “On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield” (1770) • What did you notice about the poem’s language and structure?

11. Homework • Read and annotate “To His Excellency General Washington” • (Do the same thing we did in class today…rhyme scheme, summary phrases, etc.)

12. Closing conversation… • In what ways could this poem/poet have been considered controversial?