# How does Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral develop the theme of Race and Identity?

> Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley

## Answer

Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral by Phillis Wheatley develops Race and Identity across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.

Wheatley confronts racial prejudice and asserts the spiritual equality of African people, using her own identity as an 'Ethiop' or 'Afric's muse' to challenge racist assumptions, as in 'On Being Brought from Africa to America' and 'To S. M. A Young African Painter.'

Phillis's African origins and her mastery of English and Latin challenge contemporary racial stereotypes about intellectual capacity.

The speaker questions why only Terence among 'Afric's sable race' received poetic grace, directly engaging with themes of racial identity and literary recognition.

Wheatley addresses racial prejudice directly, asserting that Black people can be saved and join the angelic train despite scornful views.

## Evidence

- [letter-to-the-publisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/letter-to-the-publisher.md): Phillis's African origins and her mastery of English and Latin challenge contemporary racial stereotypes about intellectual capacity.
- [to-maecenas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/to-maecenas.md): The speaker questions why only Terence among 'Afric's sable race' received poetic grace, directly engaging with themes of racial identity and literary recognition.
- [on-being-brought-from-africa-to-america](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poems_on_various_subjects_religious_and_moral_se/chapters/on-being-brought-from-africa-to-america.md): Wheatley addresses racial prejudice directly, asserting that Black people can be saved and join the angelic train despite scornful views.

## Links

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