The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, The African. Written by himself.

Who is Olaudah Equiano? Who are the implied readers of this text? How does this readership influence the style of the narrative How effective is the narrative as a critique of slavery?

To the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain. My Lords and Gentlemen, Permit me, with the greatest deference and respect, to lay at your feet the following genuine Narrative; the Chief design of which is to excite in your august assemblies a sense of compassion for the miseries which the Slave-Trade has entailed on my unfortunate countrymen. By the horrors of that trade was I first torn away from all the tender connexions that were naturally dear to my heart; but these, through the mysterious ways of Providence, I ought to regard as infinitely more than compensated by the introduction I have thence obtained to the knowledge of the Christian religion, and of a nation which, by its liberal sentiments, its humanity, the glorious freedom of its government, and its proficiency in arts and sciences, has exalted the dignity of human nature. 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. May the God of heaven inspire your hearts with peculiar benevolence on that important day when the question of Abolition is to be discussed, when thousands, in consequence of your Determination, are to look for Happiness or Misery! I am, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your most obedient, And devoted humble Servant, OLAUDAH EQUIANO or GUSTAVUS VASSA.

What is the point of this letter? What position does Equiano assume? How does he define England? Why does he do this? Why does he claim his work has no literary merit? does it?

Consider the narrative style of the end of Chapter 5 (pp. 83-4 in Norton)/Chapter 7 (pp. 65-7 in Heinemann) How are the rhetorical questions linked to the implied readers? What kind of arguments is Equiano using here?

Group work Examine the use of the first-person narrator, paying particular attention to pronouns. Find examples of the implied reader being directly addressed. Does the passage seem to you to be written from the point of view of an African or a European? How can you tell? What views are put forward on race, slavery, travel, trade, and can you relate this to our discussions of Oroonoko from last week? Heinemann, Chapter 1, pp.3-6/Norton, Chapter 1, pp. 22-4

1. Life in Eboe

2. The voyage to England Heinemann, Chapter 4, pp. 34-7/Norton, Chapter 3, pp. 47-9 3. The voyage to Jamaica Heinemann, End of chapter 11,117-20/Norton, Chapter 9, pp. 130-1 4. Conclusion, trade and slavery Heinemann, Chapter 14, pp. 143-6/Norton, Chapter 12. pp. 176-8