Lesson 15:The Life of Phillis Wheatley

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Life with the WheatleysThe Wheatleys were different from many otherfamilies who might have chosen Phillis. This was the firstgood luck Phillis had since being taken from her home inAfrica. The Wheatleys lived in a large house on a busyBoston street. John was a successful businessman. Thefamily lacked for nothing.The Wheatleys were rich. But more important wastheir attitude toward enslaved people. The Wheatleys’religion taught them to treat enslaved blacks as part ofthe family. Phillis never had to do tedious chores. Shehad a special place in the family. Mrs. Wheatley’sdaughter, Mary, wanted to be a teacher. Mary personallytaught Phillis how to read and write English.Perhaps Mary was a very good teacher. PerhapsPhillis was a very good student. Whatever the reason,Phillis learned very quickly. She did not speak Englishwhen she came to Boston. A year later, she was able tospeak English well. She could also read and write.Mary also taught Phillis astronomy, history, math,poetry, geography, and Latin. Phillis was like a sponge.She soaked up all the knowledge she could.7
People thought the things Phillis accomplishedwere amazing. At that time, most Americans thoughtthat Africans could not learn as well as white colonists.Some people believed that Africans could not learn atall. Of course, these people rarely tried to teachenslaved Africans.Phillis Wheatley proved many people werewrong. She worked very hard at her studies. Shewanted to learn. She soon had a better educationthan many free girls in the colonies did.Phillis Wheatley was eager to learn all she could.8
Page 1 and 2: The Life ofPhillis Wheatleyby Max T
Page 3 and 4: An Unusual MeetingIn 1776, Phillis
Page 5 and 6: Stolen from AfricaWe know very litt
Page 7: One of these women was Susanna Whea
Page 11 and 12: A Poet Is BornPhillis Wheatley love
Page 13 and 14: Phillis Wheatleysummons, or thinkso
Page 15 and 16: Journey to EnglandEven with the let
Page 17 and 18: The End of an Amazing LifeThe Revol
Page 20 and 21: RespondingTARGET SKILL Compare and
Page 22: Level: TDRA: 44Genre:Narrative Nonf

Lesson 15:The Life of Phillis Wheatley

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