Phillis surprised many, and how she rose to that enviable personality of the olden days still puzzles many. The author, Jordan June, expresses his frustration in the way the slaves were being treated by their oppressive masters. The female slaves were subjected to great ordeal. The author laments that they were at times reduced to mere sex objects by their masters. The case of Phillis was different; something that baffles June. The author wonders how one can become a great poet in such an unfortunate situation serving as a slave in a land that misery was all they could get in exchange for their forceful labor.
The author explains that she was introduced into the dark world of slavery in the year 1761. Jordan claims that she was only seven when she first appeared on the auctioneer’s platform. She was to be sold to any bidder who was willing to have her as a slave girl. It was on this particular day that they bought the little frail seven-year-old girl, who, they will later own name Phillis Wheatley. The author believed that the couples were surprisingly open-minded and thoughtful, unlike the rest who were there on that day.
Phillis was destined to become an ordinary slave, but she was exalted; something that many never expected. The young beguiling Phillis won the heart of Wheatley’s because of his strange ingenuity. June asserts that after one and half years, Phillis was literate in the language of the new land. What is of great interest to the author is the fact that she went above the expectation of many, even to the point of attaining classical education at Harvard. She was inspired by the literature of other renowned English writers.
Her first poem to be published was titled “To the University of Cambridge”. The author claims that it is a thirty-two line poem that talked about morality. The author remains skeptical, and he feels that the poem was meant to justify the actions of the suppressive masters. However, Jordan is intrigued by the section of the poem that reads “Once I redemption neither sought nor know.” He claims that this part seeks to show that the slaves are not different from the slaveholders, and they are both equal before God. The first book that contains the collection of her poems was published when she was eighteen.
Some of the poems from the collection were meant to comfort the slaveholders if they are bereft. The author gives the example of the poem “On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield.” Jordan argues that she ought to have written some literature that seeks to express her misery and wishes as a slave. However, the second poem “Thoughts on the Works of Providence,” tries to explain the concerns of the slaves, this song was particularly provocative to the slaveholders. June Jordan reckons that poems can be used to advocate change instead of popularizing suppressive laws.
During her twenty-first year, Suzannah died. The editor wonders if the poet was going to get the desired sponsorship. To him, the death of the female slaveholder was a major blow to the poet. At the age of 25, together with Peter, they worked down the isles. Peters was liberal-minded, and the author thought that he was the perfect match for the muse. Unfortunately, the author expresses his frustrations that further attempts to publish the poetry book were futile.
The author values a masterpiece that advocates the right of all Americans. The problem is that such literature is immediately dismissed based on political intrigues. The author implied that Phillis’s work was of that kind, but they were termed “insignificant” because it championed the freedom of the slaves.