Final answer:
Phillis Wheatley's poetry delves into the aspects of war through a lens of Christian belief, the nuances of freedom and oppression, and a critique of the institution of slavery. Her work is a testament to her intellectual prowess and serves as a voice for resistance and commentary on the societal paradoxes of her time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phillis Wheatley's treatment of war in her poetry, particularly during the tumultuous period of 1775 at the dawn of the American Revolutionary War, reveals a complex and nuanced approach. Wheatley's work, reflective of her personal experiences as an enslaved African woman, often folds in elements of her deep Christian beliefs, her perception of freedom and tyranny, and a subtle critique of slavery through her skilled use of language and literary devices. Through the examination of phrases such as 'Freedom', 'Tyranny', and 'faction' in her poems, scholars suggest that Wheatley crafts a commentary not only on her own condition as a slave and a poet but also on the broader societal contradictions within the colonial fight for liberty against Britain's imperial rule.
Wheatley leverages biblical myth and symbol to express her views and to question the morality of a system that espouses values of freedom while perpetuating the oppression of others. Her ability to authenticate intellectual legitimacy in a society that doubted the capabilities of enslaved individuals is further underscored by her interaction with critic Thomas Wooldridge, wherein she demonstrated control over her verse and addressed the Earl of Dartmouth directly. Sondra O'Neale and other scholars point to how her writings engage with her African heritage and the biblical text to both critique the institution of slavery and imagine a world of freedom, resonating with the wider African American literary tradition and postcolonial perspective.
Overall, Phillis Wheatley's poetry offers insight into the era's complex social and political contexts, exemplifying an individual's resistance and use of art as a medium for subtle but powerful social and political commentary.