Three themes developed in early African American writings around the issue of slavery: accommodation, protest, and escape
African American Literature
African American Literature
Lucy Terry (1730-1821) Thought to be the author of the oldest piece of African-American literature, “Bars, about an Indian raid on settlers in Massachusetts. It was not published until 1855.
African American Literature Post-slavery Era
African American Literature
Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) The first African-American and the second woman to publish a book in the colonies, she is one of the best known early black poets; her work was praised by leaders of the American Revolution, including George Washington. She is one of the first writers to use an epistolary style (in the form of letters).