Phillis Wheatley's literary career was unusual for several reasons. First and foremost, she was an enslaved African woman who became one of the most famous poets in America during the 18th century. Her writing challenged the dominant ideas about race, gender, and religion of her time, and her success as a writer was remarkable given the limitations placed on enslaved people, especially women.
Wheatley was also unusual in that she was educated by her owners, the Wheatley family of Boston. They recognized her intelligence and potential, and taught her to read and write. Wheatley quickly demonstrated a talent for writing poetry, and her work was widely admired in Boston intellectual circles. She was the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States, and her work was praised by both white and black readers.
However, despite her success, Wheatley faced significant barriers to publishing her work. As an enslaved woman, she lacked the social and financial capital that would have made it easier for her to publish and distribute her writing. Her poems were published in England, not the United States, and she had to rely on the support of wealthy patrons to fund her publications. Wheatley's literary career was also cut short by her early death at the age of 31, which limited her ability to produce more work and solidify her reputation as a writer.
Overall, Wheatley's literary career was unusual because it challenged the norms and expectations of her time, and because it demonstrated the power of education and creativity even in the face of oppression and inequality. Her work continues to be celebrated today as a testament to the resilience and artistic achievements of enslaved people and other marginalized communities.