Olaudah Equiano's memoir - Essay Example

1. What is the central thesis or hypothesis What is the trying to prove Traditionally recognized as one of history's first slave narratives, Europeanized African Olaudah Equiano, also known as Gustavus Vassa lays before the public eye his own account of slavery and the slave trade in the 1700's. The autobiography is undoubtedly an abolitionist discourse of a freed black man who had undergone atrocious enslavement. Equiano sets his motive straight in the first pages of his narrative: "or in the smallest degree promotes the interest of humanity," (page 3) In that passage, he subtly introduced that slavery is inhumane. Through the course of the novel, Equiano takes us to the journey of his life and gives us a vivid view of the state of slaves which he personally experienced and observed in his surroundings. He illustrates the slave trade wherein the abused underclasses are being treated as laboring beasts and mere objects of trade. Equiano presents the dissimilarity between the slave trade in Africa and the European system of slavery. In his native land, slaves are those who are being punished for social misdeeds or are captives of warfare. On the other hand, the Anglo-American system of slavery engages on the buying and selling of abducted Africans like the child Equiano and his sister. Olaudah Equiano aims to establish the immoralities and injustices done to himself and his fellow Africans. His motive is to convince readers of the evil and injustice of slavery. Equiano struggles in his plight to acquire his freedom. It is also his intention to advocate freedom for his fellow slaves and to conclude the practice of slave trade. The novel is an anti-slavery document criticizing and opposing the heartlessness of the economic exploitation of the slave trade, discrimination and racism in general. 2. What methodology does the author use to study the problem, period, leader, or experience which the author is writing about Is this an historical analysis utilizing statistical data, ethnographic materials or diaries Or a review of the literature on the subject How effective is the author's choice of methodology Olaudah Equiano ingeniously used basic standard of autobiography and religious discourse in his narrative. The novel may be considered a spiritual biography as the narrative commenced with a Bible quotation and throughout the narrative we see a display of the author's spiritual progression and ideologies, placing the novel on the side of morality. The author had to present himself as a reliable and rational character to contrast the common depiction of slaves as unintelligent brutes. As the narrative progress, from being a slave to one who has bravely bought his own freedom, his character gradually transcend to knowledge and understanding. His pursuit of wisdom earned him an authoritative voice against slavery and served as effective means in his campaign for the abolition of slavery. By establishing his character as a competent English speaker and a respectable gentleman, Equiano presented himself as a credible spokesman. The religious tone in his enunciation all the more set his conviction in a sturdy position. His methodology was indeed proven effective as he gives the readers a truthful and dramatic picture of harsh slavery in his present dispensation. His frank personal accounts are reasonably persuasive - "actuated by the hope of becoming an instrument towards the relief of his suffering countrymen," (Dedicatory) Equiano successfully used his own experiences to analyze and debate on the issue of slavery and the adverse effect of its cruelty. His travels provided the readers a multicolor perspective of the world in the point of view of an African slave, transporting us in his successful plight through slavery. 3. How does the author define the problem What are the author's sympathies versus the author's antagonisms With whom do they identify Does the text have judgmental or disapproving comments, or references to what could or should have been in the body of the book Does the author's approach include an analysis of race, class, and gender issues Although Equiano portrays the aggrieved African slave illustrating his resentment against the oppressors, his narrative contains substantial evidence that he himself give a positive response to slavery and justifies the practice. Though he understands the implications of slavery, as a freed man he chose to be a deck hand in a slave ship and later engaged in an occupation as an agent to purchase slaves for the plantation. But then it is obvious that later he also defies further involvement in the oppression of his own people and accepts that the mishaps he encountered next as punishment from God. There is an indication of justifying the brutality by balancing it with the compensation that it had brought him to spiritual enlightenment in the Christian religion. Although he expresses his resentment against slavery and the slave trade system, he ironically profess that his separation from his family led the way for him to obtain knowledge in Christianity and achieve higher spiritual consciousness and embrace the government he had learned to admire: "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." (Dedicatory) 4. Can you relate this book to your life or recent issues in the world Although the slave trade was abolished for more than a century, there lie still an undeniable atmosphere of racism and discrimination in modern society not just against the Negroes but against other people of color as well. This legacy of historical cruelty lingers on even now all over the world. One bold example is the discrimination of our Muslim brothers that is further heightened since the September 11 incident. Innocent Middle East Asians are at once deemed as terrorists or suspected to having affiliations with suicide bombers. Indeed, the slavery and the unkind slave trade has long ended; but prejudice still has its roots entrenched in society. Despite achievements and acquired professions, individuals are still being judged by the color of their skin and their cultural descent. 5. What conclusion does the author reach Is the solution implied or explicit Do you agree with the conclusion Why or why not Again be very specific. At the end of the narrative, there is uncertainty whether Equiano detests slavery, or whether he views it as a way by which to evolve out of a traditional and lower class lifestyle. One thing is clear though: that through his experiences, Equiano employs moral judgment. Nonetheless, he was actively involved in the political and legal efforts to outlaw slavery and the slave trade and holds on his faith and hope: "May the God of heaven inspire your hearts with peculiar benevolence on that important day when the question of Abolition is to be discussed," (Dedicatory) Though others may think that Equiano played an advocate for the government that once robbed him of his freedom and heritage, laying his life bare in exquisite expressions is a strong political act that played a significant role in bringing about the abolition of slavery. With this, I agree with his manner of employing reason to achieve his purpose. Read More