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October 25th, 2022
ENGL 201
Christopher Robinson
Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet
Throughout the revolutionary period, the world lacked the voice of women. There was no
need for women’s opinions because women were seen as not as intelligent as men. Women
stayed quiet while their husbands talked for them. They were to cook and clean and play the role
of a mother and wife to their best ability; however, two poets broke this stereotype, and their
voices were heard. Anne Bradstreet, the first American woman poet to be published during the
colonial period, and Phillis Wheatley, the first African American poet to be published during the
revolutionary period, broke the system by having their voices heard. Throughout this paper, the
discussion of the two poets and the role they both played during the Colonial and Revolutionary
periods
Phillis Wheatley, born in 1753, was brought from Gambia, Africa, in 1761 to America,
where she worked as a slave. She was bought by the Wheatley family. The Wheatley’s taught her
how to read multiple languages, yet her desire to learn more did not stop there. In the Biography
of Phillis Wheatley by Debra Michals, Michals states, “[w]ithin 16 months of her arrival in
America she could read the Bible, Greek, and Latin classics, in British literature. She also
studied astronomy and geography.” She began to write poetry at the young age of 14. Her first
poem, “An Elegiac Poem, on the Death of the Celebrated Divine George Whitefield” was
published in 1767 in the Rhode Island Newspaper. Wheatley’s poetry included topics such as her
religious beliefs, freedom, patriotism, African heritage, and current events. In the article
“Ancients, Moderns, and Africans: Phillis Wheatley and the Politics of the Empire and Slavery in
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the American Revolution” author David Waldstreicher states, “Phyllis Wheatley engaged in an
extended comparison of religious and political liberties, relating both to the question of Africans
slavery.” She was a political poet and, through her work, got the attention of influential figures
during the Revolution Period. Phillis Wheatley married in 1778 to John Peters, and together they
raised their three children, and Phillis continued to write. In 1784, Phillis Wheatley passed away
during childbirth, but the memory of her and her poetry lives on forever.
Anne Bradstreet was the first American woman to publish a book of poetry in 1650.
Although her brother-in-law published her poetry without her consent, the effect it left on the
world will forever be worth it. She wrote vulnerably in her poetry since she had no desire to
publish her work. The Tenth Muse is Bradstreet’s most famous work. She discusses the effects of
the death of a grandchild. Her other work consists of her love for her husband, family, and
religion in her poetry. Anne was gifted in her ability to relate to all, even men. Her impact on the
colonial period is beautiful and continues to impact people today.
Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet were both impeccable poets. Their ability to
articulate words and be vulnerable through their works has left an everlasting impact on the
world. They are alike in the sense that their environment told them both that their words did not
matter. Although there is not much information on why Anne Bradstreet did not desire to publish
her poetry, one can imagine her reasoning for not wanting to. She most likely questioned others'
desires to read and listen to what she had to say. Phillis Wheatley was also bold in her
publication of her poetry book. As an enslaved African American woman, the likelihood of work
being respected was little to none; however, Phillis published her work anyway. She wrote
boldly, and because of this, her work was seen by many. Although their work differed in the
sense that Phillis Wheatley wrote on topics such as politics and freedom, and Anne Bradstreet’s
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work mainly consisted of what it is like to live as a woman, they can relate in the sense of
femineity. Anne Bradstreet’s and Phillis Wheatley’s poetry affected the course of history and
changed America for the better.
Throughout this essay, the relationship between Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley can
be seen. Both women were strong poets who wrote powerfully and loudly about their desires.
These two women affected how the world perceives women, and people should forever be
grateful for their bravery sharing that came into play for sharing their work.
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Work Cited
Waldstreicher, David. “Ancients, Moderns, and Africans: Phillis Wheatley and the Politics of
Empire and Slavery in the American Revolution.” Journal of the Early Republic, vol.37,
no. 4, 2017, pp. 701-733
Michals, Edited by Debra. “Biography: Phillis Wheatley.” National Women's History Museum,
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/phillis-wheatley.
Belasco, S., & Johnson, L. (2022). Literature and Cultural Diversity in Colonial America. The
Bedford Anthology American Literature (Second ed., Vol. 1, pp. 185-187).
