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The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Or Gustavus Vassa, the African Written by Himself

Historical Impact of the Narrative considered to be the prototype for the slave narrative as a literary genre Henry Louis Gates, Jr. calls it the silent second text for Frederick Douglasss 1845 Narrative

* First published in 1789, just after the British Parliament had formally begun debate on the slave trade in 1788 From the Dedication I am sensible I ought to entreat your pardon for addressing to you a work so wholly devoid of literary merit; but, as the production of an unlettered African, who is actuated by the hope of becoming an instrument towards the relief of his suffering countrymen, I trust that such a man, pleading in such a cause, will be acquitted of boldness and presumption (Gates 3). - sold very well and influenced the political dialogue over slavery; multiple editions were printed both in England and America Equiano (1745-1797) - Bill for the Abolition of the Slave-Trade was passed in 1807 Narrative Voice and Equianos Arguments against Slavery * Powerlessness and Providence as an Emotional Appeal to the Reader I believe there are a few events in my life which have not happened to many. It is true the incidents of it are numerous; and did I consider myself an European, I might say my sufferings were great: but when I compare my lot with that of most of my countrymen, I regard myself as a particular favourite of Heaven, and acknowledge the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life (Gates 11-12). The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, being so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers. This deplorable situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of necessary tubs, into which the children often fell, and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered it a scene of horror almost inconceivable (Gates 35).

Olaudah

* Rational Argumentation within the Enlightened (Colonial) Age When they [the Africans] come among Europeans, they are ignorant of their language, religion, manners and customs. Are any pains taken to teach them these? Are they treated as men? Does not slavery itself depress the mind, and extinguish all its fire, and every noble sentiment? But above all, what advantages do not a refined people possess over those who are rude and uncultivated! Let the polished and haughty European recollect that his ancestors were once like the Africans, uncivilized and even barbarous. Did Nature make them inferior to their sons? And should they too have been made slaves? Every rational mind answers, No. Let such reflections as these melt the pride of their superiority into sympathy for the wants and miseries of their sable brethren, and compel them to acknowledge, that understanding is not confined to feature or colour (Gates 24).

This I conceive to be a theory founded upon facts, and therefore an infallible one. If t he blacks were permitted to remain in their own country, they would double themselves every fifteen years. In proportion to such increase will be the demand for manufactures. Cotton and indigo grow spontaneously in most parts of Africa; a consideration this of no small consequence to the manufacturing towns of Great Britain. It opens a most immense, glorious, and happy prospect; the clothing, &c. of a continent ten thousand miles in circumference, and immensely rich in productions of every denomination in return for manufactures (Gates 177). Equiano can be understood as a victim of the British slave trade as well as a participant engaged in the colonial system. The Question of Authenticity Vincent Carretta and other critics question the authenticity of Equianos account of Africa and the Middle Passage some historical documents record Equianos birthplace as Carolina. no solid evidence to prove his location before 1755 one way or the other

Was Equianos account of his childhood in Africa a fabrication? If so, how does it change our understanding of his Narrative? _____________________
Sources Carretta, Vincent. Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa? New light on an Eighteenth-Century Question of Identity. Slavery and Abolition, 20:3 (1999): 96-105 Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., ed. The Classic Slave Narratives. New York: Penguin Mentor, 1987. Ito, Akiyo. Olaudah Equiano and the New York Artisans: The First American Edition of The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Early American Literature 32:1 (1997): 82-101. Kelleter, Frank. Ethnic Self-Dramatization and Technologies of Travel in The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789). Early American Literature 39:1 (2004): 67-84 Murphy, Geraldine. Olaudah Equiano, Accidental Tourist. Eighteenth-Century Studies 27 (1994): 551-68.

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