Question

Which of the following is a central idea in Gates' "Mister Jefferson and The Trials of Phillis Wheatley"? Select all that apply.

Answer 1

Answer:

• Criticism of Wheatley's work was based more on gender than race.
• Jefferson's criticism of Wheatley generated more interest in African literature.
• Jefferson's criticism of Wheatley inspired other Africans to demonstrate African equality.

The article discusses the trial of Phillis Wheatley. Phillis was a slave, who was brought to America from Africa in the 18th century. Her master taught her how to read and write, and she began writing poetry. The trial described was intended to decide whether she was really the author of the poems she claimed to have written. A central idea of the article is that the criticism of Wheatley's work was more due to her condition as a woman than her condition as a slave. The author also argues that Jefferson's criticism of it both generated more interest in African literature as well as inspired other Africans.

Answer 2

Answer:

Criticism of Wheatley's work was based more on race than content.

Jefferson's criticism of Wheatley inspired other Africans to demonstrate African equality.

Explanation:

The most important thing in Gates "Mister Jefferson and The Trials of Phillies Wheatly is the fact that it was thought that Wheatley´s work was based more on race than content, Phillis Wheatley was the first african american to publish a book, and he was a former slave, this could have been the reason why Gates makes reference to the race over content issue, and as Gates criticized Wheatleys work, more and more african americans were encouraged to demonstrate African equality.