One aspect of the poem Liberty and Peace that stands out is the inclusion of women's voices in a world governed by patriarchal structures. There has been a huge chasm in the writing of history between men and women for many years. In reality, in certain historical examples, men are said to have written and made history. This would only be so if there is no critical examination of the topic of history and any of its ramifications. Female empowerment is something that is unavoidable in historical circles. The speaking voice in Phillis Wheatley’s poem, echoes, and projects a world that is viewed from the spectacles of a woman.
In the first opening lines of the poem, paints a picture of a woman bringing forth liberty, freedom descending from heaven “Freedom comes…” this in essence if looked at critically, redefines the idiosyncrasies that over so many years have portrayed men as having been the sole freedom fighters. The emancipation of the Americans from Britannia comes down in the form of a wonderful woman. Wheatley describes the beauty of the woman in a way that glorifies her “she moves in divinely fair, olive and laurel binds her hair” via these lines there is much that resonates with the beauty that is brought forth by liberty and peace. In addition, the struggle for freedom and independence that has ensued between Columbia and can be seen as a struggle from the patriarchal Britannia (Plain, 2013). The freedom liberty in another word can translate into the emancipation of the women from the jaws of the male-dominated world.
Phillis Wheatley further transcends the escapades and the suffering of Columbia the hands of the oppressing Britannia. She echoes the fact that Britannia has many natural endowed resources that it is using to suppress Columbia “each art and science.” Shows the might of the Britannia that can be equated to those of the patriarchal powers. Britannia in stanza three of the poem is seen to have developed a tendency of jealousy for Columbia that is now on the verge of spreading its superiority to the Britannia. There is the mention of the” the newborn Rome shall give Britannia law.” Compared to the contemporary world, women leadership and roles in different fields in the society are now beginning to take shape.
The continuous reference of her in the poem categorically gives the opportunity to the female voice to be mentioned in such an epoch time. Wheatley continuously uses the feminine pronouns “she” and “her” to refer to Columbia the country. The symbolism is much great at the center of giving an identity to the role of women in a matter that is only known to belong to men.( Gilbert, 2007). The soldiers fighting in the poem in the third stanza have to shed a lot of blood in the battle. They are losing so much blood that is spilled all over mother earth. There is the personification of the motherland. It has been made to have the human feelings and to sympathize with the soldiers in their quest for liberty and freedom “ on hostile fields fraternal armies engage, and mutual deaths, all dealt with mutual rage; the muse ears hear mother earth deplore.” In the struggle for liberation, there is a lot of deaths. All this is caused by the wrath and violence all aimed at freedom of Columbia. The pathetic fallacy sees it that motherland is really feeling the pain that the soldiers are going through in the poem. In a bigger picture, it reflects the humility and love of peace the women have.
“Columbia mourns.” Having referred to Columbia as a mother, she mourns the death of her children, the soldiers in their quest for freedom. All the events that are surrounding the fight and struggle for freedom have been associated with men. On the contrary, women representation right from the start of the poem depicts a picture of a peace-loving voice of women that in the very first lines descends from heaven. This, in itself, associates women with their love for peace. Their passion for peace resonates with that of nature.
In conclusion, Phyllis Wheatley’s poem has in it a lot of paradigm shifts in the way one can look the peace and liberty. The imagery paints a perfect picture of how a female in the last lines of the poem is able to liberate Columbia in the poetry. “Auspicious heaven shall fill with favoring gales, whenever Columbia spreads her swelling sails; to every realm shall peace her charms display.” Peace has been brought via the imagery of a woman to Columbia, and so many other parts of the world.
Works Cited
Gilbert, Sandra M, and Susan Gubar. Feminist Literary Theory. Chicago: A norton Reader, 2007. Document.
Plain, Gill, and Susan Seller. A history of Feminist Literary Criticism . New York: New York Press, 2013. Document .
We will email this sample to you with pleasure!
Type your email