Many Meanings

Many words have different meanings and when used in poetry, can give a different substance to what that particular poet may have intended. It can also depend on how the reader interprets what that poet may have been trying to express. Phillis Wheatley's (ca. 1753-1784) "On Being Brought from Africa to America" is one such poem, as she used words depicting her ancestry, her race in general and her Christian beliefs. The reader can first recognize her conversion to Christianity here. After a second reading, it can be recognized the numerous synonyms in reference to Wheatley's race and slavery. But what does Wheatley really indicate to her readers? Was she only speaking of her conversion to Christianity or was she speaking of her race and slavery?

The first word Wheatley used in this reference was benighted. According to Webster's New World Dictionary, this word has two meanings: 1) caught or surrounded by darkness or night; and 2) intellectually or morally backward; unenlightened. In "On Being Brought from Africa to America" Wheatley begins with:

"'Twas mercy brought me from my pagan land,

Taught my benighted soul to understand

That there's a God, that there's a Savior too:

Once I redemption neither sought nor knew..." (Wheatley, 752-753)

Both of Webster's definitions of benighted can be applied here. Wheatley's soul was surrounded by darkness before her conversion to Christianity or her finding the Light of God, especially when referred to mercy bringing her from a pagan land. One also needs to understand how Black slaves were viewed by the White population of the Americas during this time period. Wheatley may have been viewing herself as intellectually and/or morally backwards as very few slaves were taught to read and write at that time.

Wheatley showed early on in her education, the ability in comprehending reading and writing along with an immense understanding of the English language. In using the word benighted, Wheatley showed her readers how once she was regarded to be backward or unintelligent as other Black slaves, when in fact she was able to fully know and express herself in her poetry. It is after examination and thoughts of this poem, one can see where Wheatley was not only speaking of her conversion to Christianity, but of how herself and other Black slaves were viewed by others outside their race.

References

The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Baym, Nina. Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. 2007.

Webster's New World College Dictionary, 3rd Edition, 1997, Simon & Schuster,