The themes of 'A Plea for Mercy' include mercy and compassion, redemption and salvation, rejection of sin, and racial inequity and prejudice.
The themes of 'A Plea for Mercy' include:
- Mercy and compassion: The poem emphasizes the divine mercy shown by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of humanity. It highlights the immense compassion in the Son of God and urges readers to improve their own lives through mercy.
- Redemption and salvation: The poem acknowledges that the human race had fallen due to sin and emphasizes Jesus' death as a means of allowing humanity to rise again and share in eternal life and glory.
- Rejection of sin: Wheatley warns against the baneful evil of sin, urging readers to shun it and remain vigilant against its allure. She uses the metaphor of a deadly serpent that must be suppressed.
- Racial inequality and prejudice: Wheatley challenges the scornful view of the black race held by some individuals. She confronts the perception of blackness as a diabolic curse and asserts the equality of all races in the eyes of God.