Summary Of Anne Bradstreet And Phillis Wheatley - 951 Words

Finally, literature can create a platform for those who typically are unable to influence society publicly or on a public platform. For example, women in the 17th and 18th centuries possessed very little societal influence and there for had to find a means to still leave their mark on the world and impact it for the better. Anne Bradstreet and Phillis Wheatley are two such women who sought out a way to impact the world. These two women, although from extremely different circumstances, both wrote about what life was like for women in these two centuries and both are considered courageous according to the standards of may despite being in the submissive female role that society had categorized and placed them in. For example, Anne Bradstreet†¦show more content†¦Wheatley wrote the first book of verses by an African American and paved the way for ethnic writers to follow and do the same. Despite her enslavement at the age of 7, she continued to be a powerful voice for her race and for women all throughout the 18th century. One of her most famous poems has been retitled, â€Å"And Still I Rise† by many, and its speaks of her courageous spirit and grateful heart as she was taken from the only home she had ever known to be shipped to America and serve those she did not know, and yet – she did so with courage,â€Å"Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, Taught my benighted soul to understand That theres a God, that theres 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 refind, and join th angelic train,† (Wheatley). Despite being taken from her home and horribly mistreated, Wheatley chose to be courageous. Although she was only a slave, she chose to use writing as a platform, she chose to be proud of her race as shown in line 5, when she states that some â€Å"view our sable race with a scornful eye,† and yet she chooses to look past all of that and seeks to see the very best in people. Wheatley chose courage. Wheatley