Questions and Answers
What was the narrator's initial reaction when they heard the voice telling them to preach the Gospel?
The narrator initially thought it was Satan speaking to them.
How did Phillis Wheatley become famous?
Phillis Wheatley became famous for her poetry.
What event or realization led to the narrator's confirmation of their calling to preach?
The Bishop confirmed the narrator's calling to preach.
What did the narrator see in a vision after praying to God for guidance?
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What was Wheatley's first published poem and at what age did she publish it?
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How did the narrator's son factor into their decision to preach at a location 30 miles away?
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How did Wheatley's religious background influence her writing style?
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How long did the narrator hold meetings for after giving an exhortation on the same text as Rev. Richard Williams?
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How did Rev. Richard Allen respond when the narrator told him they felt called to preach?
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Study Notes
- In 1761, a schooner named Phillis arrived in Boston Harbor with human cargo, including a young girl who would become famous as Phillis Wheatley.
- Wheatley was purchased by a wealthy Boston merchant, John Wheatley, to attend to the needs of his ailing wife, Susannah.
- Wheatley spoke no English upon arrival but quickly learned to read and write through the tutelage of Susannah's daughter, Mary.
- Wheatley wrote and published her first poem, "On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin," at the age of thirteen.
- Wheatley's knowledge of classical literature and mythology was evident in her writing.
- Wheatley gained fame for her elegy, "On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield," which followed the conventions of the English elegy and the context of the Puritan funeral sermon.
- Wheatley's elegiac sensibility was medieval, expressing resignation at the inevitability of death.
- Wheatley's adoption of this sensibility is not surprising given her religiously devout mentor and living in Puritan New England.
- Wheatley emphasized exhortation in her writing, which is foundational to the Puritan elegy.
- Wheatley's talent as an occasional poet and her elegant writing style contributed to her legacy as one of the most important literary figures of her time.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, with this quiz! From her arrival in Boston to her impressive literary legacy, this quiz will challenge you on her life and work. Explore her elegiac sensibility, her classical education, and her impact on American literature. This quiz is perfect for anyone interested in history, literature, or African American studies.
