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| Explication on Phillis Wheatley's | ||||||||||
| "On Being Brought from Africa to America"'Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land Taught my benighted soulto understand That there's a God, that there's a Savior too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye. "Their color is a diabolique dye." Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refined, and join the angelic train. |
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| Wheatley alludes in line 1 that it was "God's mercy" that brought her from the spiritual darkness of Africa to the light of Christianity and America?s religious freedoms. In line 2, she personifies "mercy" in the tradition of Christianity, as being a teacher [ the Teacher: "with prayer comes understanding" ] and bringer of the "Light" into her "unknowing" soul. In lines 3 and 4, Wheatley further explains that once aware of God and his "grace" redemption is sought, while unaware of God?s presence, one doesn?t need redemption! In lines 5 and 6, she explains the "Christian racist" of that time [ and some even today: The Mormons refused to allow Blacks into their priesthood until 1978] who literally translated the Old Testament condemnation of the Black race! In the final two lines, she admonishes all Christians to remember that all are saved through Christ?s sacrifice, and once redeemed all are worthy of Paradise. | ||||||||||
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