The Speaker

The speaker (who has historically been equated with Wheatley herself) is the central character in the poem. Readers are given a few pieces of information about her: she was brought "from Africa to America." Presumably, she was born in Africa, which she characterizes as a "pagan land," and then brought to America (1). Once there, she received some education and was exposed to the Christian faith. The speaker is now a devout Christian who understands her conversion as a redemption. She is also an insightful and bold character, using what she knows about her experience of both Blackness and Christianity to address the reality of racism.

Cain

Cain is a biblical figure who is named in the poem. He was the son of Adam and Eve and the brother of Abel. In the Bible, Cain attacks and kills his brother out of jealousy. He then receives the mythical...