Week Seven: Horton, Whitefield, and Harper
Much of the difference in the poetry of Wheatley, Horton, Whitefield and Harper can be attributed to the times and situation in which they lived. Because of this, there is somewhat of an emancipation of the poetic spirit of these writers over the span of the time. Each writers work expresses the joys and frustrations of their condition. Wheatley wrote pre-American revolution, in a God fearing Puritan environment, and in a traditional European form. She focused on creating aesthetic beauty in her poems and centered on a godly focus in her thoughts. While she did lightly touch on the topic of slavery, this was not her primary focus. Horton who wrote about 50 years later is not as skilled in European style and is much more concerned with the growing slavery problem and issue in America. The Constitution had been written by this time and the natural rights espoused had not been given to the slaves. His writing is still in somewhat traditional quatrains and couplets like Wheatley and contain Greek and Roman allusions however, with time these seem to diminish as his own voice emerges. While Horton’s writing seems discouraged, frustrated, and unhappy about slavery, Whitfield’s is openly angry and antagonistic. His traditional quatrains and couplets and classical allusions are structured to drive home the point that biblical natural rights have not been extended to the slaves. Harper who wrote at the end of the time continuum had the greatest message shift of the group. She began using heavily biblical themes such as “Vashti” (497) and calling for the end of slavery particularly for women in “The Slave Mother” (496). Her focus however changes with the changing times. During reconstruction, she brings to light the tainted politicians, and her later poems focus on Women’s Suffrage themes. While all her poems are written in quatrains with standard rhyme scheme, this would have helped to simplify her message for readers. In essence, over the time African America poets develop their own voice. The voice calls for freedom and rights- freedom from slavery and freedom for women in a male dominated world.