What was one central idea that Henry Louis Gates expresses in his piece "Mister Jefferson and the Trials of Phillis Wheatley"?

A. That Jefferson only criticized Wheatley's work because she was a woman.

B. That Jefferson should not have criticized Wheatley's work because he was a white man.

C. That the criticism of Wheatley's work was based on her race, not the quality of her work.

D. That Jefferson clearly did not understand the purpose for which Wheatley wrote her poetry.

Question

Kadyn Taylor

English

1 September, 08:42

What was one central idea that Henry Louis Gates expresses in his piece "Mister Jefferson and the Trials of Phillis Wheatley"?

A. That Jefferson only criticized Wheatley's work because she was a woman.

B. That Jefferson should not have criticized Wheatley's work because he was a white man.

C. That the criticism of Wheatley's work was based on her race, not the quality of her work.

D. That Jefferson clearly did not understand the purpose for which Wheatley wrote her poetry.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Branson Gentry · Answer 1

The correct answer is C. That the criticism of Wheatley's work was based on her race, not the quality of her work.

It is believed that people didn't value it because she was African-American, which automatically discredited her in the society of that time.