How Long to Read The Poems of Phillis Wheatley

How Long Does it Take to Read The Poems of Phillis Wheatley?

It takes the average reader 1 hour and 20 minutes to read The Poems of Phillis Wheatley by Phillis Wheatley

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773) is the first book of poetry published by an African American author. Written while Wheatley was a slave in Boston, the collection was published in England. Regarded for her mastery of classical poetic form, Phillis Wheatley earned praise from Voltaire and George Washington. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral has long been the subject of scholarly work on the history of African American literature, with some critics arguing that Wheatley’s poems proved detrimental to the struggle of enslaved African Americans. Whether Wheatley made excuses for slavery or, as some have argued, included subtle critiques of the institution in her writing, her talent and importance to the history of African American literature remain undisputed. Despite her status as a slave, Phillis Wheatley seems to have viewed herself as a blessed individual, a woman for whom life itself was a sign of God’s grace, and in whom talent arose in the form of a foreign language. Many of her poems—elegies, odes, and monologues—are aimed at others. Whether in mourning, in praise, or in warning, Wheatley frequently offers her own voice to university students, royalty, God, the muses, and deceased infants. When she does offer glimpses of herself, for instance, in her poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” she provides a complex perspective on her status as a slave: “’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, / Taught my benighted soul to understand / That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too.” While her words may seem strange to our modern view of the American institution of slavery, they provide an important historical lens onto the adoption of Christianity by African American slaves, who developed a faith grounded in resistance, hope, and redemption. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Phillis Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.

How long is The Poems of Phillis Wheatley?

The Poems of Phillis Wheatley by Phillis Wheatley is 80 pages long, and a total of 20,000 words.

This makes it 27% the length of the average book. It also has 24% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read The Poems of Phillis Wheatley Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 1 hour and 49 minutes to read The Poems of Phillis Wheatley aloud.

What Reading Level is The Poems of Phillis Wheatley?

The Poems of Phillis Wheatley is suitable for students ages 10 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy The Poems of Phillis Wheatley?

The Poems of Phillis Wheatley by Phillis Wheatley is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.

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