1. ADAPTED FROM DR. GLEN SMITH PHILLIS WHEATLEY

2. Although often labeled as America’s “slave poet,” she is credited with beginning the African-American literary tradition and she is the only published female poet from the American colonies after Anne Bradstreet Born 1761, she was kidnapped by the age of seven or eight and brought to Boston Her name, Phillis, came from the slave ship she arrived on: Phillis. The last name, Wheatley, was the last name of her owners in the New World. Within 16 months, she was reading English, and by age 12 was translating Latin

3. BEFORE READING “ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA TO AMERICA” Answer the following in your notes: 1.How do you think the poet would feel about her experience being taken from her home in Africa to a new life of slavery? 2.What do you suppose her life was like as a child? 3.How do you think she was treated by her owners?

4. “ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA TO AMERICA 'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too: Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, "Their colour is a diabolic die." Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

5. AFTER YOU READ Answer the following: 1.Does she sound resentful or grateful about being brought to America? What line(s) from the poem support your answer? 2.What is the message of the poem? What line(s) from the poem support your answer?