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What did George Washington Think about Phillis Wheatley?
Washington wrote back on February 28, 1776, writing that he thought the “elegant Lines” of Wheatley’s poem were “striking proof of your poetical Talents.” Washington suggested he would have published “this new instance of your genius” himself and invited Wheatley to visit his headquarters.
What did Jefferson say about Phillis Wheatley?
Jefferson’s critique of Phillis is unusually harsh: Misery is often the parent of the most affecting touches in poetry. Among the blacks is misery enough, God knows, but not poetry. Love is the peculiar oestrum of the poet.
What side was Phillis Wheatley on the American Revolution?
Although she supported the patriots during the American Revolution, Wheatley’s opposition to slavery heightened. She wrote several letters to ministers and others on liberty and freedom.
What is Wheatley encouraging Washington to do?
The poet encourages Washington to continue his objective in gaining freedom for the colonists, and she argues that the goddess of Freedom is guiding his actions. If he follows the goddess and her virtue, the poet suggests that Washington will win the war and become the head of the new state.
What was to His Excellency General Washington about?
men in America. The central theme of this poem is “freedom’s cause,” the colonies’ struggle for freedom from England, which General Washington was assigned to lead. …
Why were the most respectable characters in Boston ask to meet with Phillis Wheatley October 1772?
Why did the “most respectable characters in Boston” ask to meet with Phillis Wheatley in October 1772? They questioned the veracity of her claim to have written poetry. He believed that although she wrote poetry, the inferior quality of the poetry proved the inferiority of the African race. You just studied 9 terms!
What does while freedom’s cause her anxious breast alarms mean?
Wheatley constructs this line using an unusual syntax in order to draw a double meaning from the word “alarms.” The clause could logically be reassembled as “While freedom’s cause alarms her anxious breast.” In this case, “alarm” means to call to action, with “freedom’s cause” as the subject and “her anxious breast” as …