Words the World Was Not Ready
Words the World Was Not Ready to HearThe period of slavery in America and issues surrounding slavery, such as the inhumane treatment of colored people, division of the Union and the Civil War, can perhaps be considered the darkest period in American history. A great number of Africans were transported to this country and any children they had while in captivity were used as a means of free labor and slavery continued to be, for the most part, an accepted way of life in America for over 200 years. Slavery was infecting all parts of the nation, yet towards the end of its institution it was more prominent in the South. American literary works were beginning to take form and develop unique characteristics throughout this period in history. Three black women, one a pampered, indulged house slave taken as a child, one born into slavery and another a free-born woman, provided a foundation for other black women writers to publish their lives and feelings during a time of turmoil in the country. Phillis Wheatley, Harriet Jacobs and Frances Harper were profound authors, providing readers with a glimpse of the experiences of the African-American woman during the slavery period of America."The chains of the American Negro's captiv
Harriet Jacobs was another critical writer during the slave period. With the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln made slavery an issue and guaranteed freedom for slaves (Paulson, 98). Each slave had a certain schedule to abide by and specific chores to complete throughout the day (155). Wheatley's marriage was unhappy and she lost two children in infancy (39). Wheatley also fills this work with the "theme of darkness" (Russell 4). Finally, Brent decides to flee and "spends the next seven years of her life hiding in crawl space" to observe her children (161). Slave quarters were cramped, often containing at least two families (159). Slavery was a horrid, dark time in the history of humans and caused a great deal of pain, yet these women were able to gain some healing and closure through their writings. Wheatley embraced the Christian teachings and the way of life in Boston. The key expressions are "sable race, diabolic die and black as Cain" (4). Wheatley amazed her family by "her quick wit and unusual intelligence" (3). Wheatley arrived from Africa "a frail and sickly seven-year-old" and was sold in Boston (Russell, 2). Wheatley saw slavery as a salvation and a blessing and her writings reflected the treatment she received.
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Acceptance Essays
