The poetry of Phillis Wheatley
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In the poetry of Phillis Wheatley, issues of religion and religious belief from her time are reflected in different works, showing how she has adapted to certain Puritan ideas. Wheatley shows similarities to Anne Bradstreet, though she writes a century later, and she writes from the point of view of a black slave with the unusual advantage of an education. She came to represent that branch of religious belief which saw Christianity as incompatible with slavery, which would make her important to abolitionists some time later. Her Christianity shows a belief in the Puritan ideas of the elect, predestination, and salvation. Different religions have different views of salvation, of who will and will not be saved, of what it means to be saved, and of what relationship there may be among acceptance of doctrinal matters, behavior, and salvation. The idea that people need to be saved implies that there is a defective condition which is normally prevalent, and the major religions see this problem as having different roots. Some religions have strict tenets to be followed in order to achieve salvation. In the Puritan conception, following these tenets is an important means of showing devotion, but salvation is either conferred or not and does not depend on good works. Wheatley addresses these issues directly in her poem "Thoughts on the Works of Providence." The poem is in the first person, with the poet-narrator explaining her views as she observes nature and makes links bet
. . .
from God:
But see the sons of vegetation rise,
And spread their leafy banners to the skies.
All-wise Almighty providence we trace
In trees, and plants, and all the flowery race;
As clear as in the nobler frame of man,
All lovely copies of the Maker's plan (69-74).
The Creation is referred to as God calls for light and creates the world, and the poet says that we can see all God's works today.
Indeed, the poet shows the pantheistic belief that God can be found everywhere, especially in all the manifestations of nature. In addition to the vegetation noted above, the poet finds God in the night sky, the passage of time, and human life itself. Everything in this world is related to the same basic force--God's love:
Infinite Love wher'er we turn our eyes
Appears: this every creature's wants supplies;
This most is heard in Nature's constant voice,
This makes the morn, and this is the eve rejoice,
This bids the fostering rains and dews descend
To nourish all, to serve on general end,
The good of man (122-128).
The nature of God's love is a central issue in this poem and relates to the Puritan conceptions of predestination and salvation. Puritan religious culture was marked by several beliefs that
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1554
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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