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On Being Brought From Africa To America By Phillis Wheatley

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On Being Brought From Africa To America By Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley’s poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” is succinct while still managing to preserve a long-lasting imprint on its readers. Wheatley describes how being shipped to America, and introduced to Christianity saved her from the damned fate of her dark skin. “Their colour is a diabolic die” (Wheatley 430). With these words, Wheatley is stating how other races view the African as being evil and ungodly. She continues to mention Cain of the bible, who God showed mercy despite his shortcomings, just as the Americans should show mercy on Africans despite their dark skin. How do you think Wheatley’s religious views contributed to this poem? Do you think Wheatley’s negative view of herself is influenced by her understanding of
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