On Being Brought from Africa to America

Definition

Phillis Wheatley's poem titled "On Being Brought from Africa to America" is a literary work that explores her personal experience of being enslaved and transported from Africa to America. In this poem, she reflects on the irony of her situation, where being brought into slavery actually led her to Christianity and salvation.

Related terms

Phillis Wheatley: She was an African American poet who was enslaved in Boston during the 18th century. Her poetry gained recognition for its exploration of themes such as religion, freedom, and identity.

Enslavement: The act of being held against one's will and forced into labor or servitude without consent or freedom.

African Diaspora: Refers to the global dispersion of people of African descent due to historical events like slavery and colonization. It encompasses communities around the world with shared cultural heritage originating from Africa.