LITR 4231 Early American Literature Sample Research Posts 2014 (research post assignment) Research Post 2

Brandi Polvado

April 18, 2014

Benefits of Double Language

          While discussing the topic of slavery this semester in Early American Literature we studied some types of slave narrative poetry in which the author could be using double language to get more than one meaning across to the reader.  Reading such slave narrative poetry raised the question in my mind of why double language was used, and also why was double language so important.  In a time period where many did not have a voice to fully express themselves double language was used to say the things that authors truly wanted to say but were unable to because of social status.  In several other literature classes the topic of double language is a debated one because so many authors claim to be writing on one topic, or from one perspective, but their text suggests something entirely different.  If one is going to be a writer then it is ideal to write about the topic they find interesting and the thought of disguising the message they are trying to relate seems ridiculous, but was often necessary during certain time periods.

The topic of double language was discussed in our Early American Literature class after reading and studying a slave narrative poem by Phillis Wheatley called, “On Being Brought From Africa to America.”  This poem is a short account of Wheatley’s experience as she journeyed from Africa to America, and the tone of this poem can be seen from two different viewpoints with two different meanings.  Because Wheatley is a slave and cannot speak freely about the hardships she faces, she uses double language to disguise and convey the message she is really trying to deliver.  One reader might see this poem as a form of gratitude from being rescued out of her land and shown “mercy” and given an opportunity at salvation, but the tone of the poem also suggests another meaning.  This poem can also be seen as a metaphor of the judgments and cruel treatment that slaves faces as a result of the color of their skin.  These people were forcing the slaves to America for their benefit and disguising it as an act of mercy.  This poem uses double language to expose the reality of the hypocrisy shown to slaves because of the color of their skin.  If Christians are to love each other as themselves then they were hardly showing mercy, even though this poem can be seen as saying they were. 

Another form of double language we discussed in our Early American Literature class can be seen in another slave narrative poem by Phillis Wheatley called, “On Imagination.”  She is the same author of the first poem, however in this poem we see almost an escape from reality from the author.  Not only is double language used to give a voice to the people who do not have one, but it is also important because it allows the author to create a fantasy world in which they can escape their own harsh reality.  In this poem Wheatley takes the reader on a journey through her imagination, and we can see the happy memories and hopes that she has in life.  Given her social status and standing she can take a journey that she can in no other way take through her writing.  She also uses imagery and makes her visions come to life, and it is beautifully written.  Perhaps at the time of writing this, the poem gave Wheatley hope and happiness during tough times.  This type of double language is important because it is an escape that was probably much needed by Wheatley.

Double language is a beautiful thing because it gives a voice and an opportunity to be heard to people who normally would not have that opportunity.  Double language allows freedom of speech and the right to be heard to those who were not given the equal opportunities they deserved.  There are so many different types of double language, and it is seen throughout many different forms of literature.  It can be seen by male authors who are writing in support of equal rights for women, women authors who are writing in support of equal rights for themselves, and even in this case slave narratives written by authors who wanted to shine a light on the harsh reality of the lifestyle slaves truly endured.  Double language is used to express viewpoints that were not allowed to be expressed and even offered an escape from a harsh reality there was no other way to escape.  Interpretation has always been up to the reader in any form of writing.  Just as one might hear a song and think it is conveying one message, another may hear the same song and take away from it something entirely different.  It is interesting to see so many authors being questions about their writings and what they meant, and have the opportunity to disguise their true intentions on why or what they intended to write about.  Double language is an empowering tool used to show two different realities of topics otherwise not talked about.