Slave Poet Phillis Wheatley - An Analysis of Her Poems

Slave Poet Phillis Wheatley - An Analysis of Her Poems Critics have differed on the contribution of Phillis Wheatleys poetry to Americas literary tradition. Most critics agree that the fact that someone called slave  could write and publish poetry at that time and place is itself noteworthy in history. Some, including Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush, wrote their positive assessments of her poetry. Others, like Thomas Jefferson, dismissed her poetrys quality. Critics through the decades have also been split on the quality and importance of her poems. Restraint What can be said is that the poems of Phillis Wheatley display a classical quality and restrained emotion. Many deal with pietistic Christian sentiments. In many, Wheatley uses classical mythology and ancient history as allusions, including many references to the muses as inspiring her poetry. She speaks to the white establishment, not to fellow slaves nor, really, for them. Her references to her own situation of enslavement are restrained. Was Phillis Wheatleys restraint simply a matter of imitating the style of poets popular in that time? Or was it in large part because, in her enslaved condition, Phillis Wheatley could not express herself freely? Is there an undertone of critique of slavery as an institution beyond the simple reality that her own writing proved that enslaved Africans could be educated and could produce at least passable writings? Certainly, her situation was used by later abolitionists and Benjamin Rush in an anti-slavery essay written in her own lifetime to prove their case that education and training could prove useful, contrary to allegations of others. Published Poems In the published volume of her poems, there is that attestation of many prominent men that they are acquainted with her and her work. On the one hand, this emphasizes how unusual was her accomplishment, and how suspicious most people would be about its possibility. But at the same time, it emphasizes that she is known by these people an accomplishment in itself, which many of her readers could not share. Also in this volume, an engraving of Phillis Wheatley is included as a frontispiece. This emphasizes her color and, by her clothing, her servitude, and her refinement and comfort. But it also shows a slave and woman at her desk, emphasizing that she can read and write. She is caught in a pose of contemplation perhaps listening for her muses but this also shows that she can think an accomplishment which some of her contemporaries would find scandalous to contemplate. A Look at One Poem A few observations about one poem may demonstrate how to find a subtle critique of slavery in Phillis Wheatleys poetry. In just eight lines, Wheatley describes her attitude towards her condition of enslavement both coming from Africa to America, and the culture that considers her color so negatively. Following the poem (from Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, 1773), are some observations about its treatment of the theme of slavery: On being brought from Africa to America.TWAS mercy brought me from my Pagan land,Taught my benighted soul to understandThat 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, Negroes, black as Cain,May be refind, and join th angelic train. Observations Wheatley begins by crediting her slavery as a positive because it has brought her to Christianity. While her Christian faith was surely genuine, it was also a safe subject for a slave poet. Expressing gratitude for her enslavement may be unexpected to most readers.The word benighted is an interesting one: it means overtaken by night or darkness or being in a state of moral or intellectual darkness. Thus, she makes her skin color and her original state of ignorance of Christian redemption parallel situations.She also uses the phrase mercy brought me and the title on being brought deftly down-playing the violence of the kidnapping of a child and the voyage on a slave ship, so as to not seem a dangerous critic of slavery, but at the same time crediting not the slave trade, but (divine) mercy with the act. This could be read as denying the power to those human beings who kidnapped her and subjected her to the voyage and to her subsequent sale and submission.She credits mercy with her vo yage but also with her education in Christianity. Both were actually at the hands of human beings. In turning both to God, she reminds her audience that there is a force more powerful than they are a force that has acted directly in her life. She cleverly distances her reader from those who view our sable race with scornful eye perhaps thus nudging the reader to a more critical view of slavery or at least a more positive view of those who are slaves.Sable as a self-description of her color is a very interesting choice of words. Sable is very valuable and desirable. This characterization contrasts sharply to the diabolic die of the next line.Diabolic die may also be a subtle reference to another side of the triangle trade which includes slaves. At about that same time, the Quaker leader John Woolman is boycotting dyes in order to protest slavery.In the second-to-last line, the word Christian is placed ambiguously. She may either be addressing her last sentence to Christians or she may be including Christians in those who may be refined and find salvation.She reminds her reader that Negroes may be saved (in the religious and Christian understanding of salvation).The implication of her last sentence is also this: the angel ic train will include both white and black. In the last sentence, she uses the verb remember implying that the reader is already with her and just needs the reminder to agree with her point.She uses the verb remember in the form of a direct command. While echoing Puritan preachers in using this style, Phillis Wheatley is also taking on the role of one who has the right to command: a teacher, a preacher, even perhaps a master or mistress. About Slavery in Wheatleys Poetry In looking at Wheatleys attitude towards slavery in her poetry, its also important to note that most of Phillis Wheatleys poems do not refer to her condition of servitude at all. Most are occasional pieces, written on the death of some notable or on some special occasion. Few refer directly and certainly not this directly to her personal story or status.

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 49

Marketing - Essay Example In addition to Andrew’s competitive market analysis could be seen as a huge opportunity by increasing awareness through a different target audience, product development and to avoid the retaliation of competitors. However stealing competitor’s clients could result in the retaliation of other competitors on the long run and an increase in costs. Overall in this case SPARK has more opportunities than problems to deal with (Quinn, 56). The company tends to spend a lot of money in marketing their services. The aim is to draw the attention of clients who would somewhat not think about insurance. Professionals say a number of people only consider policies when they are befallen with an accident, purchase a new car, move, or renew their current agreement, which normally happens twice a year, at most. This otherwise could led to poor sales profit of the company which has devastating effects to its economic growth. The advertisement mean to be used should be those that can reach the majority of the people. Because of this, SPARK Company lacked correct management where the means used in the advertisement were not of availability to all the esteemed and prospective customers. This reduced their selling power hence a reduction in the profits gained by the company. This calls for a changing in its strategic management so that newer ways could be obtained to facilitate maximum publicity so as all the clients can be reached a nd may develop interests in investing with the company (Quinn, 78). The reduction in interest earned by the company is articulated to poor management and management strategy taken by the company in the advertising sector. The advertisement is always the key to any business. This is because advertisement is always the selling strategy of the company as it helps publicize itself to its prospective customers. For any business organization or firm, advertisement helps to bring

Huckleberry Finn or Uncle Tom Cabin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Huckleberry Finn or Uncle Tom Cabin - Essay Example ano)-to a slave trader. Although Emily Shelby despises such an idea as she had assured her maid that her child, in no way , would be sold; Emily's son, George Shelly (Thomas Fritsch), detests to see Tom leaving as he finds him as his great friend and guide. Eliza , on the first impression, appears to be a very weak woman.Eavesdropping on Mr. and Mrs. Shelby she comes to know aabout their plans to sell Tom and Harry, when she resolves to flee with her son. From the film it appears that Eliza's decision comes not from her courage or confidence not to bow down to injustice, but by her fear of losing her onlyliving child (she already lost two children owing to miscarriage). Next we see her leaving the house of Arthur and Eliza Emily Shelby that night, leaving a letter admitting guilt to her mistress. But why should she The answer is to be found in the novel which the film follows strictly. In the novel Stowe portrayed like Eliza, as an as the "ideal Christian"(Athena, 1995). Later critics have observed that Stowe's female characters are often " domestic cliches", weak rather than strong and realistic women(Lowance et al, 1994). Stowe's puritinical values show up in the novels final, overriding subject matter -- the search of the nature of Christinaity and how Christianity goes aginst slavery that also overshadows the film , the theme being most evident when we see Tom insisting St. Clare(O.W. Fisher) to "look away to Jesus" after the death of St. Clare's dearest daughter little Eva ( the white young girl whoTom saves fron drowing down Mississipi river while he is sold and placed on a boat sailing down the and with whom he befriends a young white girl. Augustine St.Clare, the grateful father of Eva, in return, Eva's father, buys Tom from the slave trader and takes him with the family to their home in New Orleans while Tom and Eva starts to come closer owing to the the deep Christian faith they both share). After Tom's death , waxing lyrical about Tom George Shelby, says, "What a thing it is to be a Christian.". Christianity as theme dominating over the novel makes the film appear like a lecture where women are always to be depicited as submissive and yeilding, carinng only to motherhood. Those women who are depicted as Villainous here, are the typse that donot conform to Christianity. For example, the wife of St.Clare (Eleonara Rossi-Drago). After St. Clare is gravely stabbed while trying to stop a fight intervening in a fight Mrs St.Clare breaks her late husband's promise and sells Tom at mart to a brutal plantation owner named Simon Legree( Herbert Lom).Legree , not an indigenous southerner but a relocated Yankee. This very act of Mrs St.Clare suggests that the film has the message that women , if not belonging to the meek, religious values teaching submissio can become ruthlessly cruel to counteract their male partners, in this case the good and sincere St.Clare. We also see

Miami International Airport Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Miami International Airport - Research Paper Example The airport is used by both passengers and cargo. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department operates the airport. Miami International Airport is the property of Miami-Dade county government. It is one of the busiest airports in the world and was founded in 1928. Miami International Airport is located on three thousand two hundred and thirty acres of land near downtown Miami. Its terminal is being expanded to more than seven million square feet through a capital improvement program which is scheduled for final completion in early 2014 (Peter, 2009). The high number of passengers and cargo that go through the airport tend to have political, social and economic impact. This is because of the trade between different countries and the exchange of ideas and work force between different countries. Like many airports around the world, there are social amenities at the airport that contribute to the economy an example being the Miami International Airport Hotel. Apart from being a place where tourists and other passengers can check in for a rest, it highly contributes to the economy of the country and also helps in maintaining the airports standard (Didion, 1998). The economic impact is not only in the amount of revenue generated but also in the number of jobs created. Miami International Airport and the General Aviation Airports have an annual economic impact of thirty two point eight billion U.S dollars. The airport and other related aviation industries contribute a total of two hundred and seventy two thousand three hundred and ninety five jobs directly and indirectly to the local economy. This means that the airport creates one out of every four jobs. The activities that go on daily at the airport have contributed to its economic impact (Peter, 2009). Among U.S Airports, it is ranked the first in international freight, second in international passengers, third in total freight, third in

The Mind of a Computer :: Computers Technology Essays

The Mind of a Computer A new issue has come about since the building of computers. But the idea behind it is not such a new issue, for as long ago as Plato and Aristotle, the idea of a mind was pondered about. With the up-and-coming technology, the idea of artificial intelligence has exploded. It is one that many fiction writers have prospered on. But how far away are they from the truth? Take the story of The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov, written in 1976, when most of the population didn’t know what a computer was capable of. The idea of the unknown scared us, a robot that appeared to be just like us, but it was also intriguing, as demonstrated by the story’s success. What was it that attracted the population to this story? The reasonable answer lies within the question this paper will attempt to answer. That is, Can a computer have a mind? The answer to this question is an obvious one, but we will examine it anyway, as it needs to be addressed because of all of the popular science-fict ion writings. A computer can have a mind, and as you read further into this, you will see that computers are made of the same things we are, they transfer information using the same techniques we do, they are complex enough, and they are aware. This is enough to give them the possibility to posses a mind. Starting with the first part of the definition of mind, one might conceive of a computer that can posses a mind. The Biologist might make an argument against me, stating that only living things can have mind, that it is only those things that are biological, consisting of organic compounds, that may have the potential to posses mind. But I say to the Biologist, what is it that makes up these organic compounds? What is it about these molecules that make them construct themselves into a biological being? The answer is a simple one to any Chemist, for he knows that organic molecules are made up of elements and these elements are indeed atoms. The Physicist will most definitely agree t hat these atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. These protons, neutrons, and electrons are what make up every atom in the universe; the same three particles come together and form all the materials known to man. The Mind of a Computer :: Computers Technology Essays The Mind of a Computer A new issue has come about since the building of computers. But the idea behind it is not such a new issue, for as long ago as Plato and Aristotle, the idea of a mind was pondered about. With the up-and-coming technology, the idea of artificial intelligence has exploded. It is one that many fiction writers have prospered on. But how far away are they from the truth? Take the story of The Bicentennial Man by Isaac Asimov, written in 1976, when most of the population didn’t know what a computer was capable of. The idea of the unknown scared us, a robot that appeared to be just like us, but it was also intriguing, as demonstrated by the story’s success. What was it that attracted the population to this story? The reasonable answer lies within the question this paper will attempt to answer. That is, Can a computer have a mind? The answer to this question is an obvious one, but we will examine it anyway, as it needs to be addressed because of all of the popular science-fict ion writings. A computer can have a mind, and as you read further into this, you will see that computers are made of the same things we are, they transfer information using the same techniques we do, they are complex enough, and they are aware. This is enough to give them the possibility to posses a mind. Starting with the first part of the definition of mind, one might conceive of a computer that can posses a mind. The Biologist might make an argument against me, stating that only living things can have mind, that it is only those things that are biological, consisting of organic compounds, that may have the potential to posses mind. But I say to the Biologist, what is it that makes up these organic compounds? What is it about these molecules that make them construct themselves into a biological being? The answer is a simple one to any Chemist, for he knows that organic molecules are made up of elements and these elements are indeed atoms. The Physicist will most definitely agree t hat these atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. These protons, neutrons, and electrons are what make up every atom in the universe; the same three particles come together and form all the materials known to man.

Descartes Notion of the Mind/Body Problem in Relation to Free Will

Descartes notion of the mind/body problem in relation to Free Will Descartes took an extreme skeptical position by asking, â€Å"What is impossible to doubt, even when trying to believe that everything is false? † His answer was: â€Å"I think, therefore I am†; which is Descartes' most famous one-liner and is the one that explains his understanding of the dualism argument. The term ‘dualism’ has a variety of uses in the history of thought. In general, the idea is that, for some particular domain, there are two fundamental kinds or categories of things or principles.In the philosophy of mind, dualism is the theory that the mental and the physical or mind and body are, in some sense, radically different kinds of thing. The main discussion about dualism tends to start from the assumption of the reality of a physical world, and then ways of considering arguments for why the mind cannot be treated as simply part of that physical world. According to substance dua lism, our minds and our bodies are two distinct substances capable of existing apart.Descartes substance dualism was based in the belief that the universe consisted of two different kinds of substances that he called res extensa (physical things) and res cogitans (thinking things). In other words, the essence of mind is thought while the essence of body is extension. This belief also leads to his assumption that Free Will is self-evident. In other words, if one is capable of doubting the existence of things learned through experience even when some of these may be true, then it is obvious that we have the freedom to disbelieve, thus free will.The full argument can be broken down into seven steps: (1) if I can clearly and distinctly perceive something, then God makes something that exists that corresponding to my clear and distinct perception, otherwise God would be a deceiver. (2) If I can clearly and distinctly perceive X and Y as complete things whose principal attributes exclude each other, then God can make X and Y exist apart from each other. (3) If X and Y can exist apart from each other (whether or not they really do) then they are really distinct. 4) I can clearly and distinctly perceive mind as a complete thing to which extension does not pertain. (5) I can clearly and distinctly perceive body as a complete thing to which thought does not pertain. (6) Therefore, God could bring it about that mind and body exist apart from each other. (7) Therefore, mind and body are really distinct (SparkNotes Editors). This argument is clearly understandable when we separate it as is shown at the previous line.In overall, what is most important to remember about the argument is if I am able to perceive is because I exist, if I exist a divine being must had created this thought on my mind, which would imply, that God make me able of perceiving mind and body as two completely separate substances; If God allows me to perceive this two things separate, then it must be tr uth that mind and body exist apart from each other. The problem for Descartes is two-fold. First, if humans are free, then that which is free is not subject to the laws of physics or res-extensa like Descartes called the term.By definition all physical things are subject to the laws of physics. When we contrast these conditions of physical laws, and we are talking about the mind, it fails. The mind which is described as the source of will, must be distinct from the body and must not be physical in the natural world. In other words, the presence of a mind allows human beings to transcend their physical bodies and be free. However, we need to be aware that even is Descartes is claimed this separation of substances, he recognizes that the mind is affected by the body in certain special way.He would argue this by explaining the religious concept of the soul. Descartes complicates the simplistic notion of â€Å"mind-body† by introducing â€Å"soul† as part of mindful awaren ess. This whole argument would turn from mind-body problem to Mind, Body and Soul. The problem is that the strong attributes of the mind/body combine tend to determine the attributes of the soul. † The soul moves and feels in the body directly. The pineal gland allows the mind and body to interact said Descartes, which was proven wrong lately. Descartes such as many other philosophers was a believer of the soul.Plato for example, argued that, as the body is from the material world, the soul is from the world of ideas and is thus immortal. He believed the soul was temporarily united with the body and would only be separated at death, when it would return to the world of Forms. Since the soul does not exist in time and space, as the body does, it can access universal truths. For Plato, ideas are the true reality, and are experienced by the soul. The body is for Plato empty in that it cannot access the abstract reality of the world; it can only experience shadows.Aristotle, said, â€Å"It is not necessary to ask whether soul and body are one, just as it is not necessary to ask whether the wax and its shape are one, nor generally whether the matter of each thing and that of which it is the matter are one. For even if one and being are spoken of in several ways, what is properly so spoken of is the actuality†; in overall, the soul is a property exhibited by the body, one among many. Moreover, Aristotle proposed that when the body perishes, so does the soul, just as the shape of a building block disappears with destruction of the block.On the other hand, Descartes said, â€Å"My view is that this gland is the principal seat of the soul, and the place in which all our thoughts are formed†. This previous sentence definitely proves Descartes belief in the human soul and his concern of understanding it and explains it thru his works at the same time. Descartes conclude his argument saying that Since we can clearly and distinctly perceive of mind with out body and of body without mind, God can bring it about that mind can exist without body and body without mind. In other words, they are really distinct- Rene Descartes.Now, that we understand the mind-body argument from Descartes perspective, we can explain how he relates these two substances with the ability every human being free will. After the Scholastics, Descartes takes the conception of will and affirmed that the main ability of the mind is the ability of free will. In other words, for Descartes the essence of the mind consists of thought. Now, we found that the main focus of the argument is not the mind body argument, but the significance that Descartes gives to free will in his work. First thing, is to understand the significance and real purpose of the will.The will's practical function consist in fighting the passions; which means that we are literally able to control any action that we do, because we have freedom of choice. The argument here would be that the will is just the mind in its active capacity so the functioning of all mental faculties (intellect, imagination, memory, and sense perception) are dependent on the will (Ferguson). I truly believe that studying and understanding Descartes study of the will would resolve many of the gaps that philosopher had left on the way.Finally, we have got to the major argument of the paper that is explained how Descartes argument of mind-body is strictly relate with humans free will. Everything begins with the claim made by Descartes in his Meditation II, in which he affirms that willing, affirming, and denying is what gave us absolute freedom. Whenever we are aware of something, we are willing something, simple as that. Descartes concept of will is very cautious and quite interesting if one put himself of herself to understanding it.To explain this, Descartes begin by explain what is the intellect and how it relate and differ from the concept of will. Descartes complex treatment of freedom is due to t he complexity of the subject matter, which even with it difficulties it is pretty cogent and interesting. For Descartes, the will (which implies freedom) is dependent on the intellect for its functioning. In other words, without an idea there is nothing in which we can take a stand. Willing is just nothing but a way of thinking; will is infinite, while intellect is finite.The intellect is finite and limited because there are varying degrees at which perceptions and understanding can function. For example, some of us have extremely analysis ability while other can just do simple understanding. The will, on the other hand, is infinite because its efficacy is not a matter of degree. My ability of having free will, make me able to affirm or deny any proposition put to me by my intellect alone. From Descartes perspective, God has given us a will which has no limits and that can be dependent. Believe or not the will and the intellect are interacting most of the time.This is why; Descartes emphasizes the unity of the mind as the faculty of knowledge which he called pure â€Å"intellect†. However, the main focus is the interaction of the will with the soul on the one hand, and with the body, on the other. In conclusion, Descartes presented us a mind body problem from a Christian perspective, which had a purpose of affirmed the existence of the two substances, res-extensa and res cogitans completely separate from each other. To explain this, He described the mind as the source of will that must be distinct from the body and the physical world.We cannot will anything without understanding what are we willing and if we get a little deep into this thought is quite easy to make sense to it. We cannot leave behind either that Descartes, showed a strong concern to show his belief in the human soul while he would try to prove the existence of God, and even of himself. This would turn the whole argument to Mind, Body and soul, which is the real Christian perspective. In overall, he claimed that soul cannot exist in time and space; and that the attributes of the mind-body combine are the one that truly determine the attributes of the soul.Descartes began his explanation of the concept of will by affirming that the main ability of the mind is the ability of free will. Will, in other words, is the whole mind in its active capacity. To support this statement Descartes used many concepts in relation that in his theory, they all work together to make free will happen. By having theorical functions, practical functions, actions caused by the soul, and a strong direct relation with the mind-body problem, I truly believe that Descartes purpose of explaining his concern of the concept of will was well clearly done. Work CitedMihali, Andreea. â€Å"Descartes' Concept of Will. † Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), 2007. Canada: ProQuest. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. Ferguson, Christopher J. â€Å"Free Will: An Automatic Response. † American Psychologist 55. 7 (2000): 762-763. PsycARTICLES. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. SparkNotes Editors. â€Å"SparkNote on Principles of Philosophy. † SparkNotes. com. SparkNotes LLC. n. d.. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. Marias, Julian. History of Philosophy. New York: Dover Publications Inc. , 196721. 210-222. Print. Angeles, Peter. The Harper Collins Dictionary Philosphy. 2nd. United States: Harper Collins Publishers, Print.

The Underlying Message of The Tyger by William Blake Essay

The Underlying Message of The Tyger by William Blake Blake’s legendary poem â€Å"The Tyger† is deceivingly straightforward. Though Blake uses â€Å"vividly simple language† (Hirsch, 244), the poem requires a deeper understanding from the reader. There are many misconceptions concerning the symbols in â€Å"The Tyger† (specifically the tiger itself). This often leads to confusion concerning the underlying message of the poem. Compared to Blake’s â€Å"meek† and â€Å"mild† lamb, the tiger is hard to accept. It is a symbol for that which people fear. For some, their fears are not reality, and are much easier to ignore than accept. But no matter how hard to accept, the lamb and tiger are equally important, and together create a balance that is ideally healthy†¦show more content†¦That is to say that good and evil would reside together in every living creature. Blake’s tyger could also be an example of the Manichean way of thinking. Though the religions of Christianity, Monotheism, and Manicheanism (and many more) are quite different in the details of their teachings, they are based on the same general principles. The basis of the majority of religion relies on the existence of good and evil in order to sustain the reasoning behind their beliefs. The tiger, which displays both characteristics, can be a confusing creature for the human mind to accept. On one hand, the â€Å"symmetry† (l.4) of the tiger is attractive, but on the other hand, its potential â€Å"deadly terror† (l.16) is appalling. There is an inherent difficulty in absorbing such a paradox, but the effect of experiencing both at the same time can be referred to as ‘sublime’. The Tyger is a perfect example of the sublime. Basler said that the tyger was a creature that â€Å"convey[ed] terror before a symbol of power to harm.† (12) Paley, in relation to this, states that â€Å"terror is in all cases whatsoever, either more openly or latently the ruling principle of the sublime.† (78) Blake does an excellent job of conveying terror in the Tyger. As readers form a mental image of the blacksmith who â€Å"dares† (l.24) to create the tyger, they might experience (in a diluted form) an idea ofShow MoreRelatedWilliam Blake s Songs Of Innocence And Experience1268 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, printed in 1794, â€Å"represents the world as it is envisioned by what he calls ‘two contrary states of the human soul’† (Greenblatt, 1452). 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