The slave codes denied slaves the privilege to learn how to read or write, but this was not the life for Phillis Wheatley. She was bought and educated by the Wheatley family and managed to become the first published female African American poet. Although she died impoverished, she was still successful in terms of making an impact on the generations after her. Despite being an African woman in America, she earned her success through her intelligence, hard work and dedication, and her acceptance in the white community.
Wheatley’s intelligence was one of her characteristics that lead her to her success. As said by the Encyclopedia of World Biography, “The Wheatleys and their children, Mary and Nathaniel found Phillis as they named her, highly intelligent and responsive.” (“Phillis Wheatley”). Being considered intelligent by whites was very important for slaves during that time. If whites felt that Wheatley was smart, then she was good enough for the people who were able to read and write. Gaining compliments from whites was rare, so Wheatley had the confidence to keep writing. Her intelligence gave the white community something to marvel over while reading her poems which gave her the confidence to keep writing and achieve her goals. …show more content…
According to the Encyclopedia of World Biography, “Her poems often honor a person or an occasion: ‘His Excellency, George Washington’ (1775) prompted a personal note from Washington.” (“Phillis Wheatley”). Wheatley felt strongly about the people she honor and dedicated her poems to them. She worked hard to gain publicity among those who could read by writing about important public figures. Wheatley, a former slave, received a personal note from George Washington. Washington had just taken command of the Continental Army, so he was a very famous person in the colonies. This helped Wheatley’s reputation as a writer and helped her gain more publicity leading to her
Wheatley’s intelligence was one of her characteristics that lead her to her success. As said by the Encyclopedia of World Biography, “The Wheatleys and their children, Mary and Nathaniel found Phillis as they named her, highly intelligent and responsive.” (“Phillis Wheatley”). Being considered intelligent by whites was very important for slaves during that time. If whites felt that Wheatley was smart, then she was good enough for the people who were able to read and write. Gaining compliments from whites was rare, so Wheatley had the confidence to keep writing. Her intelligence gave the white community something to marvel over while reading her poems which gave her the confidence to keep writing and achieve her goals. …show more content…
According to the Encyclopedia of World Biography, “Her poems often honor a person or an occasion: ‘His Excellency, George Washington’ (1775) prompted a personal note from Washington.” (“Phillis Wheatley”). Wheatley felt strongly about the people she honor and dedicated her poems to them. She worked hard to gain publicity among those who could read by writing about important public figures. Wheatley, a former slave, received a personal note from George Washington. Washington had just taken command of the Continental Army, so he was a very famous person in the colonies. This helped Wheatley’s reputation as a writer and helped her gain more publicity leading to her