The idea of this project came out of a conversation I had with one of my English professors. In the early stages of my Magellan planing I knew one thing- I wanted to research Native American literature. As I came to find out that's a little too broad of a topic, but it was a good start. In my discussion with this professor, she briefly mentioned Wheatley and Occom. Apparently her mentioning the two and how they were semi-connected to one another (as you will see later on) seemed to have caught my eye, for at the end of the conversation when I still seemed entirely confused she basically called me out. She said that my body language seemed to shift and I showed interest in the two. I didn't notice this, but once she brought it to my attention the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. That was it, I was going to do research on Wheatley and Occom.
So now you are probably still thinking, but what is it that makes them special? I've told you where the idea came from, but why them, what's the connection?
The best way to describe it is to compare the two's basic information:
|
|  |
| Phillis Wheatley | Samson Occom |
| 1753-1784 | 1723-1792 |
| Lived in Boston, MA | From Connecticut |
| First African-American women to publish a work of literature | First Native American to publish a work of literature |
| As a slave she assimilated into the Anglo-culture |
As a preacher he assimilated into the Anglo-culture |
Both Wheatley & Occom corresponded with one another
|
|
|---|---|
And I am sure that there is much more that connects the two, but for now that sums up the premise. These two literary pioneers have a lot in common, and it amazes me even more that they both knew and wrote to one another. I think my research will unearth more connections between the two, but for now I hope this answers the questions, why Wheatley and Occom? And what makes them special?
