Isobel Grundy

Veiled Intent

History & Biography

“Timely, stimulating, challenging. In the years of antislavery campaigning and consolidation of empire, Duquette argues, British women clothed theology in poetry (natural description, biblical paraphrase, imagery of light and darkness, strength and nurturing). Their work, informed by faith-based social activism, dismantles Burke's dichotomy between masculine Sublime and feminine Beautiful; their imagery marries these categories in aestheticizing moral action. Duquette's closely focused readings are a pleasure; so is Phillis Wheatley's inclusion among her formidably well-read, learnedly opinionated, non-slave peers.”