The second half of “The Life of Olaudah Equiano” written by himself focuses on his life as a freeman. Equiano, a tradesman traveling the world encountered new adventures, which led to spiritual transformations. Equiano endures a cultural mainstream through multiple viewpoints. He acknowledges similarities and differences between cultures, which transforms his curiosity for adventure toward the practice of converting new cultures to his beliefs as a Christian. What would one expect the identity of a man that bought his freedom out a slavery, only to take part in the practicing of slavery himself? A character analysis of different cultures, Equiano belongs on no particular side avoiding ideological blindness regarding race. Resulting in Equiano’s …show more content…
A man free of slavery has no lawful influence, as a free slave is not free in legal rights. “He trusted and prayed to God to forgive this blasphemer, who cared not what he did” (p.202). Chap. X. revealed to be a conversion chapter as he converts to the Faith of the Methodist. As Equiano spiritually transformed, his identity was beginning to shape. Throughout Chap. XI., his belief that “God” is a “providential overseer”. By the end of his narrative Equiano’s stance on slavery is somewhat hypocritical at first glance. His narrative demonstrates the immorality of practices against slaves and very little acknowledgment on the practice of slavery itself. However, the organization of anti-slavery had not been established, which led to the belief of most individuals that it was a way of life. Equiano acknowledging that, that was not justifiable in slave mistreatment. Participating in slave trading might seem hypocritical at first, but he saw this as an opportunity to empower and build self-worth, while educating other slave so that they too, could earn their freedom. He witnesses the lesson of what is considered moral in Faith of a
Olaudah Equiano and William Wilberforce From 1807 in Britain to 1865 in the United States the process and finalization of the abolishing of slavery began with Olaudah Equiano and William Wilberforce. Born in Igbo land, also known as Southeastern Nigeria, in 1745 Olaudah Equiano had no idea that his future would be filled with separation from his family, being bought and sold, and forced labor. Olaudah Equiano was around 12 years old when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery he first arrived in England from Igbo land.
In the documents “Considering the Evidence: Voices from the Slave Trade” it shows how the Atlantic slave trade was an enormous enterprise and enormously significant in modern world history. In document 15.1 - The Journey to Slavery it talks about the voice of an individual victim of the slave trade known as Olaudah Equiano. Equiano was taken from his home and sold into the slave trade. He worked for three different families while in the slave trade but what is different about him is that he learned to read and write while being a slave. He traveled extensively as a seaman aboard one of his masters' ships, and was allowed to buy his freedom in 1766.
The definition of slavery can be known as a condition of a slave in respect to arduous labor work and/or extremely limited freedom. Therefore, three different forms of slavery are depicted in Olaudah Equiano’s “Chapter 2: Horrors of a Slave Ship.” These consist of the slavery that Equiano endured while still in Africa, suffered through on the slave ships, and saw the beginnings of in Barbados. The only thing we learn about slavery hardships, in Barbados, is the buyers of the slaves purchase them in such a fashion that leads to family and loved ones being forever separated, with no hope of reuniting. Equiano rhetorically asks the reader wonderfully, Are the dearest friends and relations, now rendered more dear by their separation from their
This was the corruption of the white men of that time who were afraid of the truth surfacing and everyone finding out the truth about slavery. Equiano was able to share a little detail about how slaves were treated by saying that “[he] was first transported to Barbados and then Virginia, where he was purchased by a local planter,” (512). This action shows the reader that the slaves were treated as a form of property that was sold for labor. Equiano was never given the chance to gain the same freedom as a white man, he had to work for money. He goes on to say "I was now exceedingly miserable, and thought myself worse off than any of the rest of my companions ...
For Equiano to be able to make the readers see the reversal of perceptions about white people, Equiano needs to separate himself and produce this sense of exceptionalism through first person pronouns. Once he establishes himself
Their first-hand accounts of slavery portray some of the most horrific things I have ever read or imagined. Both had unspeakable things done to them and around them, yet both continued to be faithful and keep their hope in the Christian God to cope with their realities and forge relationships that would work aside their religion to keep this hope alive. Equiano would write an encouragement he received from a fellow slave as said “...then said the poor man, looking up above ‘I must look up to God Mighty in the top for right.’ This artless tale moved me much and I could not help feeling the just cause Moses had in redressing his brother against the Egyptian.” (The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano.
Auld’s misinterpretation of the passage emphasizes slave owners use of religion to reinforce their power over their slaves. Christianity rationalized the concept of buying and selling human beings, and that God approved this too. In addition, Douglass used religion as a way to fuel his abolition movement. Under Master Hugh’s, Douglass began to learn how to read and write. Once
Evangelical preachers, in keeping with their social doctrine that targeted the disadvantaged in society, attempted to convert slaves and Native Americans. Prior to the Awakening no one had made a serious effort at their conversion for fear that Christianity was “a step towards freedom” (357). Slaves attended evangelical sermons en masse, wary of the Anglican ministers who supported their masters. Evangelical Christianity offered moments of release and equality from the perpetual suffering of a slave’s life. This did not mean, however, that the evangelists actively opposed slavery.
Douglass is relentless when attacking the church, he states, “The American Church is Guilty” (Douglass 1039). This has a slightly taste of irony, because here Douglass, a colored man, is calling out the most “sacred” body of people. It almost as if he was the master and they were the slave now. Next, the main theme expressed by
You’re walking through an underground pass, and you notice something strange. You happen to be near Gloucester, UK, and you see a large mural while walking around with your coffee in your hand. It happens to be a work of Chiho Aoshima, a rising artist of the Japanese Contemporary movement. You stand a few minutes, letting the busy crowd wash over you like busy fish over a stationary pebble in a stream. Your coffee is cold now, but you feel warmed by the vibrant colors of the mural.
Lastly, Douglass’ explains his thought on slavery and from what he says it becomes ironic. One of the ironies in the book that Douglass talks about is how religious slaves are more cruel than non-religious slaves. In chapter 9, Douglass’ master, Thomas Auld, became
In this paper, I will discuss the similarities, and the differences between “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” and “Journal of the First Voyage to America”. Both stories are trying to persuade the readers to reach their personal goal. However, there are a lot of differences between these two stories: different reader, different purpose,... Starting with, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano”. The author in his writing is talking about the living condition of the slaves on the ship.
By bringing up religion he appealed to the Christian morals that so many British people lived by. For example, when Equiano told of how he learned about God, was taught by Daniel Queen to read the Bible, and of his own baptism he persuaded the readers that his religious beliefs were genuine. The use of God as a pathos method made the British feel guilty for the hellish enslavement of the African's even though they thought they lived by the values of humanity, love, and faith. When Equiano said he would rather have “God's thunder” kill him than to “be sold from lord to lord” the British could not ignore his plea to abolish slavery for the sake of abiding by their own Christian
It is a common argument for Christian slaveholders to make “…that God cursed Ham, and therefore American slavery is right…” (5). this argument exposes their hypocrisy as it conveys how they attempt to stretch small pieces of scripture to justify the violence of the American slavery. Douglass thus asks if it is humane to use a small piece of writing to damn an entire race to hardship and subhuman treatment. This case of blasphemy is amplified by the observation that Douglass makes of one of his slave masters, Mr. Covey, in that “he seemed to think himself equal to deceiving the almighty” (61).
17.1 Captivity and Enslavement, Olaudah Equiano, the interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano written by himself 1. What are Equiano’s impressions of the white men on the ship and their treatment of the slaves? How does this treatment reflect the slave traders’ primary concerns? Equiano’s first impression of these white men is a feeling of uncertainty and sorrow for the future. As his story goes on Equiano is afraid of these white men, but also he is wishing to end it all because of the conditions and treatment of the slaves.