Questions

1. How do the letters that accompany the poem affect your reading of it? What do the letters suggest about Phillis Wheatley?

   Question

   Questions: - How do the letters that accompany the poem affect your reading of it? What do the letters suggest about Phillis Wheatley?
2. How does the speaker in this poem characterize the struggle for Columbia’s (the colonies’) independence in the opening twelve lines? Who is the “goddess” in line 9?

   Question

   Questions: - How does the speaker in this poem characterize the struggle for Columbia’s (the colonies’) independence in the opening twelve lines? Who is the “goddess” in line 9?
3. Who is George Washington, as he is depicted in lines 13–28? Consider specific descriptions as well as image patterns.

   Question

   Questions: - Who is George Washington, as he is depicted in lines 13–28? Consider specific descriptions as well as image patterns.
4. How do you interpret the reference to “The land of freedom’s heaven-defended race!” (l. 32)?

   Question

   Questions: - How do you interpret the reference to “The land of freedom’s heaven-defended race!” (l. 32)?
5. In the last two lines, what role does Wheatley predict for Washington?

   Question

   Questions: - In the last two lines, what role does Wheatley predict for Washington?
6. In what ways does this poem suggest a connection between the desire for American independence and the slave’s desire for freedom?

   Question

   Questions: - In what ways does this poem suggest a connection between the desire for American independence and the slave’s desire for freedom?