An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries

Definition

An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries is a poem by Phyllis Wheatley that reflects the spiritual journey of an individual seeking redemption through Christ while expressing deep sorrow and repentance for sins. The poem exemplifies Wheatley's use of Christian themes as a means of articulating her own experiences as an enslaved woman and her desire for salvation, linking personal faith to broader historical contexts of suffering and hope.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wheatley's poetry, including this work, was often used to argue for the moral and intellectual capabilities of African Americans during a time when they were largely viewed as inferior.
2. The poem employs biblical references and imagery to convey the depth of penitence and the longing for spiritual salvation, emphasizing Wheatley's strong Christian faith.
3. Wheatley’s work reflects the complexities of her identity as a Black woman in 18th-century America, navigating between her enslaved status and her literary accomplishments.
4. This poem not only showcases Wheatley's poetic talent but also serves as a historical document that highlights the spiritual struggles faced by enslaved individuals seeking hope.
5. The emphasis on salvation in Wheatley's poem connects with broader African American literary traditions that emphasize resilience, faith, and the quest for freedom.

Review Questions

• How does Wheatley use Christian imagery in 'An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries' to express her personal struggles?
  • Wheatley uses Christian imagery to create a deep emotional resonance in her exploration of sin and redemption. By referencing biblical themes and figures, she articulates her own feelings of remorse and longing for salvation, which allows readers to connect her personal struggles to universal themes of faith. This connection underscores her belief in the power of Christ as a source of hope and strength amidst the hardships she faced as an enslaved individual.
• Discuss how 'An Evening Thought' serves as a reflection of both Wheatley's individual experience and the broader context of African American spiritual literature.
  • 'An Evening Thought' reflects Wheatley's individual experience by highlighting her quest for forgiveness and connection to God while also addressing broader themes present in African American spiritual literature. The poem reveals how faith acts as both a refuge and a source of resilience in times of suffering. By infusing her personal narrative with collective struggles faced by African Americans, Wheatley situates her work within a larger tradition that emphasizes faith as essential to survival and identity.
• Evaluate the significance of penitential cries in Wheatley's poem and their implications for understanding the themes of salvation within the African American literary tradition.
  • 'An Evening Thought' employs penitential cries as a powerful motif to emphasize the weight of sin and the yearning for redemption. This theme is significant in understanding how African American literature often grapples with the complexities of suffering and hope in the context of slavery. By expressing deep remorse while seeking salvation, Wheatley not only reclaims her own narrative but also invites readers to consider how collective experiences of pain can lead to spiritual awakening. This intersection between personal struggle and communal resilience becomes a cornerstone in African American literary tradition.

Related terms

Penitence: The feeling of regret or remorse for one's sins or wrongdoings, often leading to a desire for forgiveness and atonement.

Redemption: The act of being saved from sin, error, or evil, often associated with religious beliefs about salvation through Christ.

Spiritual Autobiography:

A literary genre that focuses on an individual's personal spiritual journey and relationship with the divine, often exploring themes of faith, doubt, and redemption.