Description
For your initial post (Due by Aug 30 Friday 11:59p):
What do you notice about the poem? Annotate for any words or phrases that stand out to you.
How would you describe the tone of the poem? Why? How do the first four lines compare to the last four lines?
What might the significance of the word “mercy” in the poem be? How is this poem a critique of slavery and/or religion?
What words, phrases, or lines in the poem are associated with Africa or Africans? What words, phrases, or
lines are about America?
Line 6 is punctuated with quotation marks. Why? Who is Wheatley quoting?
This poem has been called “the most reviled poem in African American literature.” Why do you think that
is? Do you agree with that assessment? Is there another way to read this poem?