On Being Brought from Africa to America- Summary & Analysis

Table of Contents

5/5 - (10 votes)

About Poem- On Being Brought from Africa to America

Title	On Being Brought from Africa to America
Author	Phillis Wheatley
Date of Publication	First published in 1773
Genre	Poetry
Theme	Slavery, Christianity, freedom
Form	Sonnet

Themes- On Being Brought from Africa to America

The themes of the poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley are:

Religion ➤ Wheatley was a devout Christian, and her poem reflects her belief that God brought her to America for a reason. She sees her enslavement as an opportunity to learn about Christianity and be saved.
Freedom ➤ Wheatley also expresses her hope for freedom in the poem. She dreams of a day when she and all enslaved people will be free.
Equality ➤ Wheatley argues that all people are equal, regardless of their skin color. She uses her poem to challenge the racism and bigotry of her time.

“On Being Brought from Africa to America” Poem

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.

On Being Brought from Africa to America-Summary & Analysis

The poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley is about the author’s journey from Africa to America as a slave. It talks about how she was introduced to Christianity in America and how this new faith helped her find salvation.

In the poem, Wheatley expresses her gratitude for being taught about Christianity in America. She believes that it was an act of kindness that brought her from Africa to a Christian land, where she learned about God and a Savior. She admits that before coming to America, she didn’t seek or know about redemption.

The poem also touches upon the issue of racial prejudice. Wheatley acknowledges that some people look down on those with dark skin and consider it a mark of evil. However, she challenges this prejudice by suggesting that people of all races, including “Negros,” can become refined and join the ranks of the angels through their faith in Christianity.

FAQs- On Being Brought from Africa to America

What is the main message of the poem on Being Brought From Africa to America?

The main message of the poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” is that all people are equal in the eyes of God, regardless of their race or social status.