Writing- English

Equiano and the Interesting Narrative

Equiano's story is an important one for a number of reasons. First of all, it reveals an inherent contradiction at the heart of the American argument for Independence and Freedom, the legacy of which America still experiences today. How can Americans claim that "all Men are equal" and still condone and accept and profit from Slavery and the suppression of Native culture? So, this text helps to inform some of our understanding of the nature of Slavery in Colonial society, and perhaps dispels some stereotypes we have of slavery in history. Many readers find the text surprising and just about everybody thinks it really interesting and not a little inspiring.

This text was very controversial in its day, and antislavery forces used this text in their arguments for the abolition of the institution. Pro-slavery forces responded by attacking the authorship of the text, arguing that it was too well written to have been authored by an ex-slave who had no formal education. Thus, they argued, it was all a lie. Most scholars, today, do not accept this argument; however, there is evidence on both sides of the question.

This text is the second most influential "slave narrative" in American literary history, the first being Frederick Douglass' "Narrative of a Life." Though not listed on our syllabus, serious students of American Literature and History would find it very important and interesting.

Here are some questions to explore and reply to ...

· How did Equiano come to be a slave? Summarize his "story" of coming to America. What does he describe to us about his initial experience and the infamous “middle passage”? How does this inform your own understanding of slavery historically?

· In Equiano’s argument, we can see another example of the "Appeal to the Model of Christ" when he writes the section beginning “O ye nominal Christians.” Find this language in his text, and make a connection to another text we've read that uses the same appeal.

· For many students this is the first "Slave Narrative" they've ever read: what was the most interesting episode you recall from the reading? Summarize the episode and explain why you though it so.

· What did you react to the most in this reading? What was the most profound connection, or most interesting insight, you discovered as a reader? Explain

· How does Equiano's experience influence your thinking about the nature of American Independence and ideas of Equality?

· Compare Equiano's Narrative to Rowlandson's Narrative. What connections do you see when you compare these two narratives? make a connection and explain it.

· Does de Crevecouer's definition of an "American" apply to Equiano? How or how not? and what about today? Does OUR definition of an American today fit him?