Question

on being brought from africa to america
by phillis wheatley
notice details that tell you about the speaker’s feelings.
’twas mercy brought me from my pagan land,
taught my benighted soul to understand
that there’s a god, that there’s a saviour too:
once i redemption neither sought nor knew.
some view our sable race with scornful eye,
“their colour is a diabolic die.”
remember, christians, negroes, black as cain,
may be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.

benighted: ignorant.
sable: dark brown or black.
diabolic die: an evil or devilish coloring agent (dye).

analyze theme
annotate: in lines 7 and 8, mark the advice the spea
analyze: highlight this question text and add your re
what is the message in this device?

Explanation:

The poem "On Being Brought from Africa to America" by Phillis Wheatley uses religious and racial themes. Lines 7 - 8 ("Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train") advise Christians to remember that Black people (Negroes), though seen as "black as Cain" (a biblical figure associated with sin), can be refined (spiritually improved) and join the "angelic train" (heavenly realm). The message here is about the spiritual equality of Black people, suggesting they can achieve salvation and spiritual refinement like others, challenging the idea that their skin color (seen as "diabolic die" by some) makes them less worthy of spiritual redemption. The device (likely allusion, as it references Cain and the angelic train) reinforces the theme of spiritual potential regardless of race.

Answer:

The advice in lines 7 - 8 is "Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train." The message in this device (allusion to biblical and heavenly imagery) is that Black people (Negroes), despite being viewed negatively by some for their skin color, have the same spiritual potential as others—they can be spiritually refined and achieve salvation (join the angelic train), emphasizing spiritual equality and the possibility of redemption for Black people.