Final answer:
Phillis Wheatley, born in Africa and sold into slavery in Boston, became a renowned poetess with her 1773 publication of poems. Her work has sparked debate on whether it critiqued slavery, with some scholars finding subtle protests. Wheatley's control over her publications and her use of African symbols in her writing reflect her complex identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phillis Wheatley: Poetess and Free Mind
The African-born poetess who published poems in England was Phillis Wheatley. Born in Africa around 1753 and brought to America as a slave, she was sold to the Wheatley family of Boston. Despite the common restrictions of the era against teaching slaves to read and write, Wheatley achieved full literacy and became a renowned poet. Her body of work, most notably her 1773 publication Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, gained wide acclaim in America and Europe.
Debate among scholars about Wheatley's legacy has centered on whether her works were a critique of slavery. Critics like Jamison, Smith, and Richmond argued that her writing failed to protest the institution of slavery, while others like Levernier and Scruggs have identified subtle critiques within her poetry. Wheatley's work is controversial yet celebrated for its artistry and historical significance.
A notable aspect of Wheatley's work is her use of diacritical marks and nsibidi—traditional African symbols. This use suggests a connection to Wheatley's African heritage and the complexities of her identity as an African woman in America. Despite division among critics, there is consensus that Wheatley enjoyed a considerable degree of control over the publication of her work, even revising her poems for a London audience. Her personal story and the content of her writings provide a rich tapestry for understanding the dynamics of race, writing, and identity in colonial America.