Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Robert Earl Hayden's poem "A Letter from Phillis Wheatley," the poet adopts the voice of Phillis Wheatley, the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry in the United States. Set in London, 1773, the poem presents Wheatley's experience as a black woman navigating the complex terrains of both art and politics in a racially segregated society. Wheatley's character appears grateful for her newfound opportunities but remains acutely aware of her complex status as an artist who was once enslaved.

Hayden begins the poem with Wheatley reflecting on her transatlantic journey, comparing her recent trip to London with the harrowing voyage from Africa to America where she was sold into slavery. This contrast between her past and her present serves as a poignant reminder of her life's journey. It also sets the tone for Wheatley's internal battle between her elevated status in London society and the "Horrors" of her past.

As Wheatley describes her evening with her "Ladyship" and her "illustrious Friends," Hayden delves into themes of authenticity and agency. Despite the admiration Wheatley garners for her elegies, she dines "apart like captive Royalty," isolated even in her success. The countess and her guests, in declaring her a "True Poetess, albeit once a slave," underscore the condescension lurking beneath their praise.

Hayden also touches on the historical context of the poem, inserting a reference to Pocahontas and her presentation at the English court. This serves to highlight the exoticization and othering that women of color faced in European society, despite their talents and contributions.

The poem reaches its most critical moment with Wheatley's acknowledgment of the "Serpent" in her "Eden," a metaphorical representation of racism and the lingering, hissing judgments of "foppish would-be Wits" who dismiss her as a "Cannibal Mockingbird." The term "Mockingbird" stands out as it symbolizes mimicry, indicating that the naysayers perceive Wheatley's talents as merely imitative rather than original.

Finally, Hayden infuses the poem with a dash of humor towards the end. A little chimney sweep asks Wheatley if she too sweeps chimneys-a naïve but telling question that speaks to societal assumptions based solely on the color of one's skin. This moment crystallizes the absurdity and ingrained nature of racial prejudice, even in the eyes of a child.

Hayden's "A Letter from Phillis Wheatley" offers a rich, multifaceted portrait of a complex woman wrestling with the contradictions of her life. Despite the high society that surrounds her, Wheatley finds herself still entangled in the web of America's original sin: slavery and racial discrimination. Through this poignant, epistolary poem, Hayden critically engages with themes of identity, race, and the tension between artistic recognition and societal prejudice.

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