Comparative analysis of ideas and values in early American literature texts

God Given Rights:

Understanding America's Equality and Freedom

The poem "On Being Brought to America" by Phillis Wheatley and The Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson share similarities on the ideals that America possesses. Each of these writings argues for their God given rights, claiming every person is equal. Each must start new: One as a Christian, the others as a government. It is the bravery and the challenge in these writings that fascinate readers and help them understand America's growth process into the country it now proudly is.

Wheatley writes a poem discussing the introduction to both America and the Christian faith. The author feels as though she was brought to America out of kindness, and is thankful for the introduction to Christianity. She continues on to discuss the social factors, asking why her race is good enough for God, but not for the other Americans. When asking, she compares her race to Cain, the son of Adam and Eve. When condemned to wander the earth after the killing of his brother Abel, Cain was marked, supposedly with blackness, and the Lord claimed that anyone that may kill him will find the favor returned. Like Cain, Wheatley is a child of God.

In the Declaration of Independence, the American States officially declare separation from England. It is stated that the people of the States have rights, that all people are created equal, and that if the government does not perform its duty to act in the benefit of its people, the people have the right to reject or destroy it. The people argue that their mother country, England, has been acting more as an oppressor than a mother in their new life. They listed the many facts that the King of England had not performed as the governor of their country, and that they now had the right to overrule his power and start their own government.

Though the two writings are about completely different experiences, there are similarities in the requests for respect from both writers. Wheatley is given a new beginning in America and so are those involved in the forming of the United States. Both are experiencing difficulties in getting recognized as a respectable, independent party. When Wheatley claims, "Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin'd and join th' angelic train." (REFERENCE) she is challenging the Christians, explaining that like them, she is a child of God, and is therefore protected by Him. God also gives rights to all people, such as those listed in the Declaration of Independence, as "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." (REFERENCE) As all men are created equal in God's eyes, the people of America get this right no matter what their oppressor, England, tries to force upon them.

Each author comes from a difficult standpoint: The minority. As the minority, Wheatley fights for the general respect and acceptance of her people, stating that "Some view our sable race with scornful eye." (REFERENCE) She is starting her new faith in her new country, however she is not within a superior group within her new country. Jefferson and all others represented in the Declaration of Independence are officially claiming their separation from their mother country, claiming that the king of England does not have the capabilities to properly run the states, and that instead, they will be creating their own government that meets their needs.