Question

Read the excerpt and answer the question.

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

What does Wheatley imply in these lines from "On Being Brought from Africa to America"?

A) that Africans are as evil as Cain
B) that Cain was not a true Christian
C) that Christians are superior to Africans
D) that Africans can become refined Christians

Answer 1

The answer would be letter D - that Africans can become refined Christians. Wheatley seeks to remind Christians by saying "Remember, Christians..." Wheatley also uses simile to refer the Negros being black like Cain who was marked by God. There's also a metaphor in this excerpt where the angelic train means a heavenly train that brings a person to everlasting bliss.

Answer 2

Answer:

D) that Africans can become refined Christians

Explanation:

This excerpt shows that anyone can become a refined Christian, including the Africans, who according to the text, are black like Cain.

In the past, many believed that the sign in Cain was a dark skin - that God changed the color of Cain's skin to black in order to identify him. Since Cain also received a curse, the belief that the mark was black skin led many to believe that dark-skinned people were cursed. And because of this "curse" is that the excerpt speaker says that even blacks (the cursed ones) can become refined Christians