Question

Phillis Wheatley's poem "To Maecenas" is a tribute to a patron of the arts. Here is a question related to the poem, along with multiple-choice In "To Maecenas,"

what does Phillis Wheatley primarily express gratitude for?
A) Financial support and patronage
B) Intellectual guidance and mentorship
C) Political influence and protection
D) Personal friendship and companionship

Answer 1

Phillis Wheatley's poem "To Maecenas" primarily expresses gratitude for intellectual guidance and mentorship, rather than financial support or political influence. The correct answer is option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

In "To Maecenas," Phillis Wheatley primarily expresses gratitude for intellectual guidance and mentorship. Wheatley, an educated enslaved woman, often wrote neoclassic verse that reflected her complex relationship with her status and her benefactors. Her poems, laden with diacritical marks and classical references, suggest a nuanced approach to expressing appreciation and navigating the societies in which she lived. Rather than overt financial support or political influence, Wheatley's verse in "To Maecenas" aligns more closely with the respect and intellectual engagement typical of a mentorship with a patron of the arts.