📕African American Literature – Before 1900 Unit 3 – Early Black Poetry: Wheatley and Hammon

Historical Context

• Early African American literature emerged during the colonial and early national periods of American history
• Enslaved Africans were forcibly brought to the American colonies starting in the early 17th century
• The transatlantic slave trade resulted in the displacement and enslavement of millions of Africans
• Slavery was a fundamental part of the economic and social structure of the American colonies and later the United States
• Despite the oppressive conditions of slavery, some enslaved Africans managed to learn to read and write
  • This was often done in secret or with the permission of their enslavers
  • Literacy was a rare and valuable skill among the enslaved population
• The Great Awakening, a religious revival movement in the 18th century, influenced the spiritual and literary expressions of enslaved Africans
• The American Revolution and the ideals of liberty and equality inspired some enslaved Africans to assert their humanity and challenge the institution of slavery through their writings

Key Figures: Wheatley and Hammon

• Phillis Wheatley (c. 1753-1784) was the first published African American poet
  • She was born in West Africa and brought to Boston as a child, where she was enslaved by the Wheatley family
  • The Wheatleys recognized her intelligence and provided her with an education
  • Wheatley's poetry was praised by prominent figures of the time, including George Washington
• Jupiter Hammon (1711-1806) was the first published African American writer
  • He was born into slavery on Long Island, New York
  • Hammon's works include poetry and prose, often with religious themes
  • He was a devout Christian and his writings reflect his faith
• Both Wheatley and Hammon's works were published during their lifetimes, which was a significant achievement for enslaved individuals
• Their writings challenged the prevailing notion that Africans were intellectually inferior to Europeans
• Wheatley and Hammon's works laid the foundation for the development of African American literature

Themes and Motifs

• Spirituality and Christianity are prominent themes in the works of Wheatley and Hammon
  • They often drew upon biblical imagery and themes in their poetry
  • Their writings reflect a deep faith in God and the hope for salvation
• The struggle for freedom and equality is another significant theme
  • While not always explicitly stated, their works hint at the injustice of slavery and the desire for liberty
• The assertion of humanity and intellect is a key motif
  • By demonstrating their literary abilities, Wheatley and Hammon challenged the racist assumptions of their time
• The power of education and literacy is emphasized
  • Wheatley and Hammon's achievements underscore the importance of access to education
• The duality of being both African and American is explored
  • Their writings reflect the complex identities of enslaved Africans in America
• Nature imagery is often employed to convey spiritual and emotional themes

Literary Techniques

• Wheatley and Hammon's works are characterized by their use of formal poetic structures, such as heroic couplets and iambic pentameter
• They often employed classical allusions and references to Greek and Roman mythology
  • This demonstrated their knowledge of classical literature and aligned their works with the neoclassical style popular in the 18th century
• Biblical allusions and religious imagery are prevalent in their poetry
• Figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, is used to convey complex ideas and emotions
• Personification is employed to imbue abstract concepts with human qualities
• Rhetorical devices, such as apostrophe and rhetorical questions, are used to engage the reader and emphasize key points
• Wheatley and Hammon's works often feature a didactic tone, reflecting their intention to instruct and morally uplift their readers

Cultural Significance

• Wheatley and Hammon's works were groundbreaking in their time, as they were among the first published writings by African Americans
• Their achievements challenged the racist assumptions about the intellectual capabilities of Africans and African Americans
• Their works contributed to the growing abolitionist movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries
  • Wheatley's poetry, in particular, was used by abolitionists as evidence of the humanity and intelligence of enslaved Africans
• Wheatley and Hammon's writings helped to establish the African American literary tradition
  • They paved the way for future generations of Black writers and intellectuals
• Their works provide valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of enslaved Africans in colonial America
• The themes and motifs explored in their writings, such as the struggle for freedom and the assertion of humanity, continue to resonate in African American literature and culture today

Comparative Analysis

• Wheatley and Hammon's works can be compared and contrasted in terms of their themes, styles, and biographical contexts
• Both writers drew upon their Christian faith and used biblical imagery in their poetry
  • However, Hammon's works tend to be more overtly religious and didactic in tone compared to Wheatley's
• Wheatley's poetry is characterized by its neoclassical style and use of classical allusions
  • Hammon's works, while still formal in structure, are less heavily influenced by classical literature
• Wheatley's status as a celebrated poet in her time contrasts with Hammon's relative obscurity during his lifetime
• Both writers addressed the issue of slavery in their works, but Wheatley's approach was often more subtle and indirect compared to Hammon's
  • Hammon's essay "An Address to the Negroes in the State of New York" is a direct appeal to fellow enslaved Africans to embrace Christianity and moral living
• Wheatley and Hammon's works can be compared to those of other early African American writers, such as Lucy Terry and Olaudah Equiano, in terms of their themes and historical significance

Legacy and Influence

• Wheatley and Hammon's works laid the foundation for the development of African American literature
• Their achievements inspired future generations of Black writers and intellectuals
  • Notable figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, and Langston Hughes have cited Wheatley and Hammon as influences
• Wheatley and Hammon's works continue to be studied and celebrated as important examples of early African American literature
• Their poetry and prose have been anthologized and analyzed by scholars in the fields of literature, history, and African American studies
• The themes and motifs explored in their writings, such as the struggle for freedom and the assertion of humanity, continue to be relevant in contemporary African American literature and culture
• Wheatley and Hammon's legacies have been honored through various memorials, scholarships, and literary awards
  • The Phillis Wheatley Book Awards, for example, recognize outstanding works by African American writers
• Their works have been adapted into various artistic forms, including music, theater, and visual art

Further Reading

• "The Trials of Phillis Wheatley" by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - A biographical study of Wheatley's life and works
• "The Collected Works of Jupiter Hammon" edited by Cedrick May - A comprehensive collection of Hammon's writings
• "The Poems of Phillis Wheatley" edited by Julian D. Mason Jr. - A scholarly edition of Wheatley's poetry with annotations and commentary
• "Genius in Bondage: Literature of the Early Black Atlantic" edited by Vincent Carretta and Philip Gould - An anthology of early African American writings, including works by Wheatley and Hammon
• "The Cambridge Companion to African American Literature" edited by Maryemma Graham - A collection of essays exploring the history and themes of African American literature, including discussions of Wheatley and Hammon
• "The Norton Anthology of African American Literature" edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Valerie Smith - A comprehensive anthology of African American literature from the 18th century to the present, featuring works by Wheatley and Hammon
• "The Slave's Narrative" edited by Charles T. Davis and Henry Louis Gates Jr. - A collection of essays examining the slave narrative genre, which includes discussions of Wheatley and Hammon's writings
• "The Signifying Monkey: A Theory of African American Literary Criticism" by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - A seminal work of literary criticism that explores the African American literary tradition, including the significance of Wheatley and Hammon's works