Final answer:
The term 'sable divinity' in Phillis Wheatley's poetry refers to the dark and divine essence of her racial identity, used to critique societal attitudes towards race and slavery. It reflects Wheatley's strategic use of language to convey social criticism in an acceptable way for her 18th-century audience. This term underscores her dual narrative of personal experience and societal commentary.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of Phillis Wheatley's poetry, the term sable divinity likely refers to the dark and divine essence or authority of either Wheatley's own racial identity or a perceived sacred aspect of her African heritage. The author may choose this term to subtly invoke the gravity and inherent dignity of her race, challenging her readers to recognize the moral complexities and injustices associated with slavery. This term serves as a rhetorical strategy to convey a critique of racial attitudes and the institution of slavery without overtly confronting readers, allowing Wheatley to engage with themes of race and equality in a manner acceptable to her audience of the time.
R. Lynn Matson and others suggest that Wheatley utilized different metaphors in her manuscripts versus what was published in an effort to balance the directness of her critique with the broader acceptability of her work. The 'sable monster' alludes to the darkness of slavery, contrasting with the more generic 'deadly serpent', which might be interpreted in a theological or moral sense rather than a socially critical one.
Ultimately, Wheatley's nuanced expressions, such as using 'sable divinity', reveal a double narrative within her work: One is an elegy for the subject she commemorates, and the other, a veiled commentary on her own experiences and the larger society's treatment of Black people.