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Nelson Class Jr
Department of English, Liberty University
ENGL 201: American Literature 1
Dr. Stephanie Hobson
November 27, 2023
Illuminating Voices
Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet’s Revolutionary Literary Perspectives – APA
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Illuminating Voices
Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet’s Revolutionary Literary Perspectives – APA
Amid eras when women struggled for recognition and enslaved people were deprived of
education, and a voice, Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet emerged as extraordinary literary
figures. Both women defied the societal norms of their time by expressing their thoughts and
emotions through poetry, a medium often reserved for privileged and educated men. Through
their works, Wheatley and Bradstreet navigated the complexities of their identities, shedding
light on women's perspectives and, in Wheatley's case, enslaved people in their respective
literary periods.
Anne Bradstreet, a Puritan poet living in the 17th century, and Phillis Wheatley, an
enslaved African brought to America in the 18th century, challenged prevailing notions about the
capabilities of women and the enslaved. Bradstreet's poetry often reflected her devout Puritan
faith, familial relationships, and the struggles of daily life. At the same time, Wheatley's verse
confronted themes of freedom, religion, and identity within the context of slavery. Bradstreet’s
poem "To My Dear and Loving Husband" encapsulates her perspective on marital love and
devotion: "If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; If
ever wife was happy in a man, compare with me, ye women, if you can." (Hall, 2004). Here,
Bradstreet's portrayal of an equal partnership and profound love between spouses defies the
stereotype of women as inferior or submissive. Her use of the first-person perspective empowers
her voice, asserting the depth of her emotions and intellectual capacity, challenging societal
expectations of women's roles in marriage.
On the other hand, Phillis Wheatley's poem "On Being Brought from Africa to America"
offers a compelling insight into her unique position as an enslaved person: "'Twas mercy brought
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me from my Pagan land, taught my benighted soul to understand that there's a God, that there is
a saviour too." (DeRosa, 2023). Wheatley, kidnapped from Africa and enslaved at an early age,
navigated the horrors of slavery while also embracing Christianity. Her poetry often reconciled
her Christian faith with the dehumanizing experience of bondage. (DeRosa, 2023). This excerpt
highlights her gratitude for being introduced to Christianity while simultaneously acknowledging
the irony of being enslaved in a country that proclaimed Christian values of equality and mercy.
Both Bradstreet and Wheatley employed their literary prowess to challenge societal
norms and advocate for recognizing women's and enslaved people's intellectual capabilities.
(Wong, 2015). Bradstreet subtly advocated for women's autonomy and intellectual equality
within the confines of her Puritan society. At the same time, Wheatley directly confronted the
horrors of slavery and the hypocrisy of a Christian nation enslaving fellow human beings.
Bradstreet's "The Prologue" offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by women seeking
creative expression: "I am obnoxious to each carping tongue. Who says my hand a needle better
fits? A poet's pen all scorn I should thus wrong, for such despite they cast on female wits."
(Wong, 2015).
Here, Bradstreet confronts the prevailing prejudice against women writers, highlighting
the criticism and ridicule she faced for daring to pursue poetry. Her defiance against the societal
belittling of female intellect reflects her determination to assert her voice despite societal
constraints. In contrast, Wheatley's "To the University of Cambridge, in New England"
demonstrates her intellectual prowess and challenges the prevailing racial prejudices: "While an
intrinsic ardor bid me write, the muse doth promise to assist my pen; 'Twas not long since I left
my native shore, the land of errors, and Egyptian gloom.” (Belasco, 2019). Wheatley's reference
to her "intrinsic ardor" and the muse's assistance highlights her confidence and capability as a
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poet despite being enslaved and denied formal education. She challenges the presumption of
African inferiority propagated by society, asserting her intellectual equality through her literary
achievements. (Belasco, 2019).
In conclusion, Phillis Wheatley and Anne Bradstreet transcended the limitations imposed
by their gender and societal status, offering invaluable insights into the perspectives of women
and enslaved people during their literary periods. Through their poetry, they challenged
prevailing stereotypes, advocating for recognition of women's intellectual capabilities and
exposing the injustices faced by enslaved people. Their enduring legacy lies in their ability to
illuminate the voices of the marginalized, inspiring future generations to defy societal constraints
and champion equality and justice for all.
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References
Belasco, S. (2019). The Bedford Anthology American Literature, Volume 1, Second Edition,
Liberty University. Macmillan Higher Education.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781319324414/pageid/492
DeRosa, R. (2023). The Open Anthology of Earlier American Literature.
https://summit.plymouth.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/8de9c03d-8e56-4dbe-b983-
490cf2e0fed9/content#page=435
Hall, D. D. (2004). Puritans in the New World: Critical Anthology.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-
omCDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA188&dq=Anne+Bradstreet+to+my+dear+and+loving
+husband+&ots=rqlzJbrGVH&sig=mUhiVtuec9gzc7iAPmfsJLrbxnc#v=onepage&q=An
ne%20Bradstreet%20to%20my%20dear%20and%20loving%20husband&f=false
Wong, K. (2015). Bradstreet and Wheatley: A Discussion of Two Distinct American Women
Poets
from the 17th and 18th Centuries.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1016&context=english_class_publications
