Welcome, fellow explorers of language and meaning! Today, we embark on a journey into the heart of a truly remarkable poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” by the extraordinary Phillis Wheatley. This short but incredibly powerful work invites us to consider profound questions about faith, freedom, and human dignity. Let us begin by reading the poem itself, allowing its words to resonate within us.
On Being Brought from Africa to America
by Phillis Wheatley
‘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 a scornful eye,
“Their colour is a diabolic die.”
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refined, and join the angelic train.
On Being Brought from Africa to America: A Concise Summary
“On Being Brought from Africa to America” is a profound eight-line poem by Phillis Wheatley, published in 1773. It stands as one of the earliest published works by an African American poet, offering a unique perspective on the experience of forced displacement and the introduction to Christianity. The poem’s central idea explores a complex paradox: the speaker frames her enslavement as a paradoxical act of “mercy” because it led her to Christian faith. While acknowledging the spiritual awakening she found, the poem simultaneously delivers a subtle yet powerful critique of the racial prejudice prevalent in her era. Wheatley challenges the dehumanizing views held by some, asserting that people of African descent are capable of spiritual refinement and salvation, just like any other individual. It is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and a compelling call for the recognition of shared humanity and spiritual equality.
On Being Brought from Africa to America: In-Depth Analysis
The Paradox of Mercy and Spiritual Awakening
The poem opens with a statement that immediately captures attention and invites deep reflection:
‘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.
Here, Wheatley introduces the central paradox of the poem. The word “mercy” is used in a startling way, seemingly to describe the act of being forcibly removed from her homeland and enslaved. This choice of word is not an endorsement of slavery, but rather a complex rhetorical strategy. By framing her arrival in America as an act of “mercy” that led to spiritual enlightenment, Wheatley highlights the profound irony and hypocrisy of a society that justified slavery while professing Christian values. Her “Pagan land” refers to her African homeland, which was not Christian. The phrase “benighted soul” suggests a state of spiritual darkness or ignorance before her conversion. However, the poem implies that this “darkness” was simply a different spiritual path, not an inherently inferior one. The speaker’s newfound understanding of “a God” and “a Saviour” represents a profound personal transformation, suggesting that even amidst immense suffering, spiritual grace can be found. This opening stanza establishes Wheatley’s sophisticated use of language to navigate her personal experience and critique the societal norms of her time.
Challenging Racial Prejudice and Stereotypes
The poem shifts its focus in the latter half, directly confronting the pervasive racism of the 18th century:
Some view our sable race with a scornful eye,
“Their colour is a diabolic die.”
These lines powerfully articulate the dehumanizing attitudes faced by African people. The phrase “sable race” is a poetic way to refer to people with dark skin, and the “scornful eye” vividly portrays the contempt and prejudice they endured. The quoted line, “Their colour is a diabolic die,” directly echoes the racist belief that dark skin was a mark of evil or a curse, often linked to biblical interpretations. Wheatley, however, does not simply present this prejudice; she sets the stage to dismantle it. By quoting the derogatory statement, she exposes its absurdity and prepares the reader for her counter-argument, demonstrating her intellectual prowess and courage in confronting injustice.
The Call for Refinement and Spiritual Equality
The poem culminates in a powerful plea for recognition and spiritual equality:
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refined, and join the angelic train.
This concluding couplet is a direct address to her Christian audience, urging them to reconsider their prejudiced views. By juxtaposing “Christians” and “Negros,” Wheatley subtly emphasizes their shared humanity and potential for salvation. The allusion to “Cain” is particularly significant. In biblical tradition, Cain was marked by God after murdering his brother Abel. This mark was sometimes erroneously associated with dark skin to justify racial prejudice. Wheatley cleverly reclaims this allusion, not to confirm the racist stereotype, but to subvert it. She implies that even if one were to accept the false premise of a “mark,” it does not preclude spiritual growth. The crucial message is that “Negros” “May be refined,” meaning they are capable of moral and spiritual improvement, just like anyone else. The ultimate aspiration is to “join the angelic train,” a powerful image of ascending to heaven and achieving spiritual salvation. This line serves as a profound assertion of spiritual equality, challenging the very foundations of racial hierarchy and advocating for a more inclusive understanding of Christian faith.
Literary and Poetic Devices in On Being Brought from Africa to America
Phillis Wheatley masterfully employs several literary and poetic devices to convey her complex message with precision and impact.
Heroic Couplet and Iambic Pentameter
The poem is structured entirely in heroic couplets, which are pairs of rhyming lines, and written in iambic pentameter. This means each line typically has ten syllables, alternating unstressed and stressed beats, creating a rhythmic “da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM” pattern. For example, consider the line:
‘Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
The regular rhythm and rhyme scheme (AABBCCDD) give the poem a formal, controlled, and authoritative tone. This traditional structure was common in 18th-century poetry and lends a sense of gravitas and intellectual weight to Wheatley’s challenging subject matter, allowing her to present radical ideas within a familiar and respected poetic form.
Allusion
Wheatley strategically uses allusion, references to well-known historical, literary, or biblical figures or events. The most prominent examples are:
- “my Pagan land”: This alludes to Africa, referring to its non-Christian religious practices from a European perspective.
- “a God, that there’s a Saviour too”: This is a clear allusion to Christian theology and the figure of Jesus Christ.
- “black as Cain“: This is a powerful biblical allusion. Cain was the first murderer in the Bible, marked by God. Wheatley uses this allusion to directly confront and subvert the racist interpretation that linked dark skin to Cain’s curse, turning a symbol of supposed damnation into a point of potential redemption.
These allusions enrich the poem’s meaning, allowing Wheatley to engage with complex theological and social debates of her time.
Imagery and Symbolism
Imagery creates vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, while symbolism uses objects or ideas to represent something else. Wheatley employs both effectively:
- “my Pagan land”: Symbolizes her African heritage and a spiritual state prior to Christianity.
- “benighted soul”: Creates an image of a soul in darkness, symbolizing spiritual ignorance before enlightenment.
- “sable race”: This imagery refers to people of African descent, with “sable” evoking a rich, dark color. It symbolizes the racial identity that was often scorned.
- “diabolic die”: This powerful imagery symbolizes the racist belief that dark skin was inherently evil or cursed.
- “angelic train”: This symbolizes heaven, salvation, and spiritual purity, representing the ultimate goal of Christian faith and a state of equality in the eyes of God.
These images and symbols are crucial for understanding the poem’s layers of meaning and its critique of racial prejudice.
Enjambment
Enjambment occurs when a thought or phrase continues from one line of poetry to the next without a grammatical pause or punctuation. Wheatley uses it to create a natural flow and emphasize connections between ideas. For instance:
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too:
The thought of understanding seamlessly carries over, mimicking the continuous unfolding of spiritual revelation. This device enhances the poem’s readability and draws the reader deeper into the speaker’s journey of discovery.
Assonance and Consonance
Wheatley also uses sound devices to enhance the poem’s musicality and emphasis:
- Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words. For example, the long ‘i’ sound in “scornful eye” creates a subtle echo that draws attention to the act of looking down upon others.
- Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within nearby words. The ‘t’ sound in “Taught my benighted soul to understand” creates a gentle rhythm, emphasizing the act of learning and transformation.
These subtle repetitions contribute to the poem’s overall elegance and reinforce its thematic concerns.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Wheatley’s Voice
“On Being Brought from Africa to America” is far more than a simple statement of faith; it is a profound and revolutionary work that challenges the very foundations of racial prejudice and hypocrisy. Phillis Wheatley, through her masterful command of language and poetic form, transforms a personal narrative of suffering into a universal declaration of spiritual equality. The poem’s enduring power lies in its ability to provoke thought, question injustice, and remind us that true mercy and salvation are accessible to all, regardless of their origin or the color of their skin. It remains a vital piece of literature, inviting readers to reflect on themes of faith, freedom, and the unwavering human spirit.