Question

Into which literary movement or time period do Phyllis Wheatley’s poetry fit?

Answer 1

Phyllis Wheatley's poetry fits within the XVIII period. Her poetry included ideas and concepts from Christianity, classicism, and hierophantic solar worship. She was influenced by Homer , Virgil and the XVIII's poets: Alexander Pope and Milton. Besides, she wrote ellegies through her poetry; she reflected upon the dead, mainly.  She also  wrote about the sun because solar worship - hierophantic practice - was common in Africa and her parents were sun worshipers themselves. In fact ,autobiographical spiritual narratives were common in poets such as Wheatley.

Answer 2

Early American and Colonial Literature