Readings: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano
Taylor, chaps. 12-13
Points of Entry:
The Lives of Colonial Cities:
The Great Awakening
Gender and the Colonial World:
List and analyze 2 quotes from the Equiano reading. What is Equiano arguing in these passages? How is this related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?
"Prevented, that I could not die,
ReplyDeleteNor might to one kind refuge fly,
An orphan state I had to mourn,--
Forsook by all and left forlorn"
This interesting stanza exemplifies a common issue with slavery--the "orphan state." This meant no national identity, literal orphancy, and once, free, no one to turn to. Thus, "free" or not, there was no refuge for a majority of African captives. Moreover, it brings into question contemporary issues: exploiting workers (potentially devoid of an identity) for our own benefit. Where as humans of the earth do we draw the line? How much do we need to keep on taking, and why have we not learned from the torments of slavery? Maybe, it is because American history undermines slavery as an outlier, not as the central focus.
"...where the inhabitants are bred from a mixture of first Portuguese discoveries, with the natives, and are now become in their complexion, and in the wholly quality of their hair, perfect negroes, retaining however a smattering of the Portuguese language."
This quotes illustrates miscegenation, racial identity, and the adapting socioeconomic meanings for race. Thus, if you were more white (European) then, you were a bit more "superior." Moreover, even in plantations, mulattoes served as intermediaries, had more priviledges, and a higher rank in the racial hierarchy. Thus, race was elastic, and whoever took advantage, sought to preserve the structure. The "perfect negro" serves as a euphemism, and is reminiscent of what social darwinism, and early anthropological studies would seek to "explain."
"That fear, however, which was the effect of my ignorance, wore away as I began to know them. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood every thing that was said. I now not only felt myself quite easy with these new countrymen, but relished their society and manners. I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them." (56)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is interesting in that it looks into the slaves point of view and not only the Europeans side. Wanting to emulate the Europeans is not often seen with much of the evidence looked at upon slavery or at least evidence I have viewed thus far. The quote makes it clear that there is a seperation between slave and owner as discussed in class but also the langauge barrier is important. The different languages provided a weapon not only for the Europeans as being superior but on the other side, this allowed the slaves to hold onto some of their culture by keeping their native language. The workers being exploited in this instance is the beginning of the Marxist view and the first step of many towards modernity and slaves being allowed to be "free people of color" as many later refer to them which is the next step. This quote illistrates a beginning to so much while providing an alternate view of the most common view where slaves greatly dislike their owners.
"I bade adieu to the sound of the cruel whip, and all the other dreadful instruments of torture; adieu to the offensive sight of the violated chastity of the sable females, which has too often accosted my eyes; adieu to oppressions (although to me less severe than most of my country men); and adieu to the angry howling dashing surfs." (124)
A perfect example of slavery is presented above. The torture that many endured including flogging, hangings, and whatever else the clever minds of slave owners developed placed fear and hatred into many of the slaves. When Gustavas Vassa said goodbye to all of this, he knew how lucky he was to escape the atrocities that the slave trade had brought. The piece on the violation of the chastity that belonged to the females was important in looking at the mixing of culutures dscussed in class. This mixing created new classes of people that were looked upoon differently even if they only had a little bit of another race in them. People born in different areas of the world like on the Iberian peninsula were viewed as superior to others. By taking advantage of the women, the social order changed as evidenced in the above quote. The abuse was just the start. Gustavus was lucky in that his master was kinder to him than some others as mentioned because many slaves never saw that kindness. This documentation is important to see the other side of the slavery story and not just the economic benefits for the Europeans.
“O, ye nominal Christians! Might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men do unto you? Is it not luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice? “ (pg 69)
ReplyDeleteHere Equiano is discussing the tragedy of the slave auction. While Equiano’s use of the Golden Rule reflects his complete conversion into the Christian, European culture, he also maintains a prophetic stance against his new culture. I find it interesting how Equiano groups all European Christians into a mass group which he decides to rebuke. I wonder if this combination of all Caucasian Christians into one large stereotype helped to define Equiano’s view of himself as an African (as opposed to his identity as an Igbo). Massing and defining the “enemy” as the English Christian most likely assisted in this self identification.
I also love Equiano’s quotation of Paradise Lost upon his arrival at the West Indies;
“Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
And rest can barely dwell. Hope never comes
That comes to all. But torture without end
Still urges.”
The use of Paradise Lost not only points to Equiano’s complete English education, but also draws upon a reference that many Europeans could relate to. Essentially Equiano is relating the West Indies, the source of European economic wealth, to hell. Again, Equiano is commenting on the destructive power of European “lust of gain” or greed. Hell, a symbol of the most evil of evils, would stand out to many Europeans, drawing compassion and pity.
I first saw flying fishes, which surprised me very much; they used frequently to fly across the ship, and many of them fell on the deck. I also now first saw the use of the quadrant; I had often with astonishment seen the mariners make observations with it, and I could not think what it meant. (pg.79)
ReplyDeleteEquiano is describing the new wonders that he is seeing on the ship that is about to take him to his new "home" it acts as sort of a naivety that he has not encountered. Here he is about to go through the hardest part in his life, neglected, beaten, starved, and possible killed; but yet he is marveling at the wonder of the flying fish and how they glide over the ship. He is from a different country with different class systems so its hard to tell if he would be from a higher class or lower class in the caste system of his village.
With shudd'ring horror pale, and eyes aghast,
They view their lamentable lot, and find
No rest?' (pg.25)
Here he is talking about the sheer horror that he has encountered and how he believes all pale faced people must be so horrible for the first experience with them was nothing but pain and suffering. The pale he refers to in the first line is either from being so scared that your face loses color or the paleness is a reference to the pale face of the Europeans. The second half of the passage describes how he asks himself if they ever stop being horrible, if they every take a break from their wickedness.
"Whenever I looked in the Bible I saw things new, and many texts were immediately applied to me with great comfort, for I knew that to me was the word of salivation sent." (145)
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why Equiano gave a convincing argument to abolish the slave trade was because of his strong ability to read and write. He tends to take information from many different sources, such as the classics, political, ect. but most of his quotes and paraphrases come from the Bible or the "unsealed book." Being able to read the Bible, allowed Equiano to take religious readers into his argument and to convince them that the slave trade was cruel, not only to him, but also supported by the words of God.
"The first object which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast was the sea, and a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo. These filled me with astonishment, which was soon connected with terror, when I was carried on board. I was immediately handled, and tossed up to see if I were sound, by some of the crew; and I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and that they were going to kill me." (46)
Slaves were only supposed to be good for their work. They were not supposed to be educated as Equiano was. In this passage he is describing his what he seen, but what was even more intriguing was how they handled him when he arrived. This slave brutality was one of the discussion themes that we had in class
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ReplyDelete"One white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on the deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it; and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute. This made me fear these people the more; and I expected nothing less than to be treated in the same manner"(66).
ReplyDeleteAs Equiano is describing the scene he had just witnessed, it demonstrates the fact that slaves lived in fear. They had seen this done to a white man so it is only imaginable what can be done to them. This also shows a way for the white men to stay in charge and keep the power.
"We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians and poets."(45).
I found it to be really interesting to read about the culture and background of where Equiano came from. His culture is full of such rich and powerful beliefs that it was cool to read about all of the different traditions and ceremonies that were performed. I was intrigued by the how sacred marriage was and the effect it had on the community.
Danielle Quinones
ReplyDelete"I was trained up from my earliest years in the art of war; my daily exercise was shooting and throwing javelins; and my mother adorned me with emblems, after the manner of our greatest warriors" (pg.57)
Equiano here is reflecting on a part of his life back home. This relates back to how we talked about gender in class and how men and women in society are looked at and expected to do different things. Equiano as a man was trained to be strong and fight in wars while his mother would take care of him as his sister was probably raised to do as well.
"That fear, however, which was the effect of my ignorance, wore away as I began to know them. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood everything that was said."(pg.83)
This shows how the slaves like Equiano adapted to the Europeans. They learned their language, some were lucky enough to be educated by them, and some even were baptized like Equiano. The slaves were smart enough to learn the culture and adapt in the areas they wanted to.
"The first object which saluted my eyes when I arrived on the coast was the sea, and a slave ship, which was then riding at anchor, and waiting for its cargo. These filled me with astonishment, which was soon connected with terror, when I was carried on board. I was immediately handled, and tossed up to see if I were sound, by some of the crew; and I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and that they were going to kill me." (46)
ReplyDeleteThe scene Equiano is describing gives us a glimpse at what the Africans, soon to be slaves, first saw and experienced when being forced on the slave ships bound for the Americas. He also uses diction such as handled and tossed to demonstrate the lack of care from the white man towards the black and their journey across the Atlantic. This relates to what we discussed in class because it represents the colonists need to better themselves, with no remorse for those around them (Native Indians and Africans).
“One Mr. D--- told me that he had sold 41,000 negroes, and that he once cut of a negro man's leg for running away. I asked him if the man had died in the operation, how he, as a Christian, could answer for the horrid act before God? and he told me, answering was a thing of another world, what he thought and did were policy. I told him that the Christian doctrine taught us to do unto others as we would that others should do unto us. He then said that his scheme had the desired effect-it cured that man and some others of running away.”
This conversation is a perfect example of slave brutality. While Equiano brings Mr. D into question over his Christian morals, he justifies his action by saying there was no rule or moral value of any sort to say that he couldn’t. Doing so shows that early American colonists had no respect for their African slaves and they didn’t even consider them to be the same, as in human, when compared to themselves. This example of slave brutality, as discussed in class, carries over to both Natives and Africans.
“This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains” (Equiano, Pg 67)
ReplyDeleteThis quote explains the terrible conditions that the African slaves were involved in on the slave ships. These conditions were only made worse with no sewage and the close proximity of slaves to each other. They were nearly piled on top of each other making the area ripe for disease. The smells were described as so by that they nearly suffocated the youth. As if the conditions were not bad enough, the captives remained chained. A constant reminder of their “new beginning.” A new life where they would endure torture and suffering for the distant hope that they would some way be free. This symbolic representation of shackles and chains leaves a vivid image in your mind. It tells a greater story of the unimaginable conditions faced by the salves, if they were ever able to even make it to the new land. This relates to the theme of the class from Monday because we talked about the roles race played in society.
“I could only hope and trust in the god of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape” (Equiano, Pg 123)
This quote right here explains the great desires slaves had to endure the harsh conditions and reach freedom from captivity. In my mind it is nearly insane the brutality of the treatment that Equiano endured from his capture in Africa to the various owners that he had. One aspect of the text that I found interesting was way that through all of the torture and reasons to doubt, the slaves kept their faith in god. Many of them believed that they would be able to one day escape the beatings, harsh labor conditions, and malnutrition. Even though they were given many good reasons to doubt the fact that there was a higher power, they remained in touch with their faith in the belief that it would some how relieve them of their torture and suffering. I like this quote because it shows how even though the Europeans thought of them as different and in many ways incapable of civilization, much as they thought of the natives, the Europeans actually held the same religious beliefs as the Africans that they enslaved. This relates to the class discussion because it once again talks about race in society but this time it connects the two ethnic groups rather than show their inferiority.
“…the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty; and this not only shewn towards us blacks, us also to some of the whites themselves” (Equiano).
ReplyDeleteThis quote shows how brutal white people were back in the day. They used ropes and othe weapon to beat the slaves and they created a reputation for themselves. Black people were already worried about the white people because of their nasty and brutal tactics.
"That fear, however, which was the effect of my ignorance, wore away as I began to know them. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood everything that was said"(Equiano).
Equiano is explaining how he adjusted to the Englishman’s ways and learned their language. This was interesting to me because it’s hard to learn another language and Equiano was smart enough to learn their ways. He was intelligent enough to understand their langauage completely.
"While I was thus employed by my master I was often a witness to cruelties of every kind, which were exercised on my unhappy fellow slaves" (Equiano 107).
ReplyDeleteIn this passage, Equiano provides information about how poorly slaves were treated. He speaks of how they were treated poorly by whites, who saw themselves as superior. Whites used race to put themselves in higher power than those who had colored skin.
"That fear, however, which was the effect of my ignorance, wore away as I began to know them. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood everything that was said" (Equiano 83).
This passage shows that although Europeans and other whites believed themselves to be superior, they were not. Equiano, even as a slave, learned many things and was able to communicate in English quite well. If his skin had been a different color, nobody would have given him a second though, but because he was African, he was forced into slavery and treated poorly.
“I asked them if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible locks, red faces, and loose hair” (Equiano, 65).
ReplyDelete-Equiano is describing how the white settlers were seen as savages because of how they were treating the African natives in such an unbearable and barbaric way. Despite how the Africans are described in many of the accounts of the colonists, Equiano describes the situation in a different light. From the African prospective Equiano describes the situation as the settlers being the foreigners coming in and taking innocent people hostage for their own selfish benefit. The theme that this quote ties into is labor exploitation and how Africans were forced into unpaid labor because they were of a different race and white settlers felt superior to them.
“I had never experienced any thing of this kind before; and although, not being used to the water, I naturally feared that element the first time I saw it, yet nevertheless could I have got over the nettings, I would have jumped over the side but I could not, and, besides, the crew used to watch us very closely who were not chained down to the decks, lest we should leap into the water: and I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most severely cut for attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating ” (Equiano, 65).
-Equiano is describing how he had never endured an event that caused him to want to take his life. Since Equiano was chained, alone, and suffering from inhumane experiences which causes him to lose all aspects of self-worth. From the constant beating and torture the colonists ultimately didn’t treat Equiano, or any of the other Africans, as human beings of any respectable nature. This quote ties in with the theme of access because the settlers took away the freedom of the Africans because they believed their lives would be spent better working on crops in the Americas. The settlers take away their access and their free will to live their own live or be their own person.
" I regard myself as a particular favorite of Heaven, and acknowledge the
ReplyDeletemercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life."
-This particular quote stood out to me because it exemplifies Equiano's
comparison of himself to "countrymen. Equiano holds that he has
experience aspects of life that do not compare to the lives of others. I
found it interesting that Equiano does make a religious reference within
his narrative.
-My second passage is as follows:
" Though we had no places of public worship, we had priests and
magicians, or wise men."
This passage stood out to me because it allows Equiano and his people
felt about men who were skilled in rituals of power. The power of prayer,
intelligence, and healing were, according to Equiano, signs of awe that
automatically gained respect. He states how incredible the doctors were
in healing numerous diseases. I found it interesting how Equiano
referred to them as "magicians" because they were intelligent.
"Even God-fearing men and women who believed slavery was wrong were not prepared to give up such a lucrative business" 12.
ReplyDeleteThis quote sums up basically the main subject of the week in my eyes, and that is the dehumanizing of the African slaves to justify the mode of European political progress. The slave trade was so fruitful in it's economic benefits that people so devoted to the abolition of slavery and so devoted in their religious convictions that slavery was wrong, turned a blind eye so they could reap the rewards of the business. This is especially shocking in a time when religion was such a huge part of peoples' lives.
"The latter of whom [Thomas Jefferson] wrote the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming that 'all men are created equal' and are endowed with the same rights to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'" 13.
This section says a lot about the times and state of the world at the time period. I'm not saying or doubting that all of the founders were great and patriotic men, but we can see the effects of the public outlook on slavery on this point. First, the statement is a bit of a paradox. Not to say that the Declaration was probably the greatest and most important document written for the U.S., but the statement calling all men equal refers to white settlers. It shows us instantly the effect that dehumanization of both African slaves and Indians caused, in that they are not considered men; we can infer they are not considered human because they do not have the same rights as the white colonists. Secondly we can look forward at the 3/5 compromise in the constitution. But thirdly, we must look at the last part of the text that declares all men having a right to life, to liberty, and to the pursuit of happiness. This is actually a revised quote taken from the philosopher John Locke, who said men have the right to life, liberty, and property. However Franklin urged in the final draft for Jefferson to change the last part of the quote to "the pursuit of happiness" realizing the contradiction to what the newly formed union was fighting for in the first place. The problem being if all men are equal, then why do some men have the right to own "property" or as it would be interpreted, other men in the form of slaves.
“The next day I was washed and perfumed, and when meal-time came, I was led into the presence of my mistress, and ate and drank before her with her son. This filled me with astonishment; and I could scarce help expressing my surprise that the young gentleman should suffer me, who was bound, to eat with him who was free; and not only so, but that he would not at any time either eat or drink till I had taken first, because I was the eldest, which was agreeable to our custom. Indeed every thing here, and all their treatment of me, made me forget that I was a slave. The language of these people resembled ours so nearly, that we understood each other perfectly. They had also the very same customs as we.” (p.62-63) Olaudah Equiano was very surprised to find a nation that very similarly resembled his own nation when he was very far from his home. He never thought that other African nations would be anything similar to his own nation and him finding that other nations resembled was a true shock to him. He was able to fit into this new nation almost perfectly and nearly forgot that he was a slave because he was not treated like one at all. He was treated as if this was his home and that he was a part of the family. Equiano is saying that the African nations were more similar than he had once thought and that not all masters are not horrible to slaves, but do treat them as humans, and in some cases, almost as part of the family.
ReplyDelete“In a little time after amongst the poor chained men, I found some of my own nation, which in a small degree gave ease to my mind. I inquired of these what was to be done with us; they gave me to understand we were to be carried to these white people’s country to work for them. I then was a little revived, and thought, if it were no worse than working, my situation was not so desperate: but still I feared I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty; and this not only shewn towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves.one white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it; and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute.” (p.65-66) Olaudah Equiano is scared of the crew and their savageness. He has not yet confronted people who were more of a brute than human, but when he gets onto that slave ship, he sees these European brutes and cannot believe the horrifying things they do to not only the blacks, but also to the other white crew members. He is afraid for his own life and wishes he was still back at his old master’s house where he was a part of the family and not treated like a slave. He is arguing that the Europeans do not care if they kill the Africans because they can be replaced and that they could basically do whatever they want.
"Slavery is a story of physical endurance in and spiritual transcendence of a harsh world." (Pg. viii)
ReplyDeleteThis quote is saying that slavery is extremely harsh on the human being, mentally and physically. The hardships that many slaves had to go through were very cruel and severely painful. Slaves had to work on the plantation everyday for many hours and were treated very unfairly by the plantation owners. Slaves were also sometimes killed because they were worked to exhaustion. My feelings are very sympathetic for those slaves because it was a harsh time for them.
"I was born, in the year 1745, in a charming fruitful vale, named Essaka. The distance of this province from the capital of Benin and the sea coast must be very considerable; for i had never heard of white men or Europeans, nor of the sea: and our subjection to the king of Benin was little more than nominal." (Pg. 44)
From reading this quote, i get the idea that Equiano was born in a very poor community because he did not know what basic things were such as white men, Europeans, and the ocean. I also believe that since he did not have much knowledge about anything then living and working as a slave must have been extremely difficult for him because he had to learn a lot of new things in order to survive in the days of slavery and the slave trade.
"The natives are extremely cautious about poison. When they buy any eatable the seller kisses it all round before the buyer, to shew him it is not poisoned; and the same is done when any meat or drink is presented, particularly to a stranger," (p. 54). This passage intrigued me because this is an interesting native ritual Equiano describes. The natives had to worry about diseases from the Europeans, so naturally they will take any precautions to ensure the health of the people. The weird thing about the ritual, however, is that one will willingly kiss a potentially bacteria and pathogen-filled item. This one person would risk his health for the benefit of the society. That is pretty touching, as well as bold.
ReplyDelete"O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you? Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice?" (p. 69).
This quote really stands out and boosts my respect for Equiano. Right in this passage, he makes a stand against hypocrisy from the supposedly religious Europeans. They preach their religion, but they have no desire to follow the religion's teachings. Equiano makes a call for a little understanding, even though he knows he will be denied. The Africans are separated from childhood friends and loved ones, possibly never being able to see them again, because the slave owners are so adamant regarding status. Equiano makes a call for the Europeans to follow their own teachings and be somewhat humane, but once again, this is not happening.
"They always carry slaves through our land; but the strictest account is exacted of their manner of precuring them, before they are suffered pass. Sometimes indeed we sold slaves to them, before they were only prisoners of war, or such among us as had convicted of kidnapping, or adultery, and some other crimes, which we esteemed heinous" (pg 48)
ReplyDeleteEquiano in this short paragraph describes to us that African Americans were sold by other African Americans as slaves. These people often committed crimes that they thought were cruel. When I first read this, I was astonished to see that they sold there own race to the Europeans and other ethnic groups. I always thought that they were captured and put into slavery.
"for I could make free with him, and he always instructed me with pleasure: and from what I could understand by him of this God, and in seeing these white people did not sell one another, as we did, I was much pleased; and in this I thought they were much happier than we Africans. I was astonished at the wisdom of teh white people in all things I saw" (pg 75)
Equiano was pleased to see that these white people had a spiratual side to them. I believe that he no longer feared being sacrifised by them and eatin. In all the hardship he has gone through, it is easy to see that he was scared for his life. I see that as soon as he went to church for the first time he became more willing to know more about the white people religion and way of living.
"'Sometimes when a white man take away my fish I go to my maser, and he get me my right; and when my maser by strength take away my fishes, what must me do? I can't go to any body to be righted...'" (112)
ReplyDeleteI think the conundrum in this quote is very interesting. The man can get help from his master if someone else steals his fish, but if his master steals the fish, there is no help he can get. In his mind, there is no higher authority than his master. Equiano reminds him that God is always there, and to not lose faith even in the hardest of times. I think this theme is present in the literature of many historical events other than African slavery, such as the Holocaust. A common theme is that there is always a higher power that keeps watch, even if it doesn't seem like they are there.
"Even God-fearing men and women who believed slavery was wrong were not prepared to give up such a lucrative business" (12).
This quote not only applies to this week, but to other weeks as well. It reminded me of the cod triangle, when we talked about how everyone made money off of the slave trade. New Englanders sent their fish to be food for the slaves, and even if they did not believe in slavery, they were still supporting it with their business. It was their livlihood which they were not willing to give up for their moral beliefs.
"She now promised to intercede for me, and went for her master, who soon after came and having a slightly reprimanded me, ordered me to be taken care of, and not to be ill-treated." (61)
ReplyDeleteThe author tried to portray that Equiano's sister was very adamant about making sure that her brother was treated well treated because they were so close. And for the most part he did not get treated poorly, he stayed on the ship for many journeys and was not sold off right away. When he was sold eventually he did small chores and worked in the house so it showed that them following their faith pays off.
"in honour of those sable destroyers of human rights, that I never met with any ill treatment, or saw any offered to their slaves, except tying them, when necessary, to keep them from running away."
Apparently being a slave in Virginia is not all that bad, you were only reprimanded if you tried to run away, most of the stories that are told about slavery are that the slaves were being treated very poorly not even as humans. Equiano did not seem to think the same thing about his slave masters.
During the slave trade the treatment of these men was horrendous. THese men had no names, no rights, or any possessions. They were given the bare minimal in terms of food and cloth. “ Deprived of their names the dead bore the numbers assigned at shipment. For example Captain Newton recorded, “Buried a slave No. 84....This morning buried a women slave, No.47.” These men were tossed overboard and never thought of again. they even threw men overboard if food became scarce in order to keep the crew fed.
ReplyDeleteLater through the great awakening and the enlightenment the colonies pushed toward the American Revolution were they won their freedom from Britain. This change also brought about new ideas including the thought of Slavery being ethically wrong. what made one man better than any other. "Only one percent of the blacks living in british colonies became free prior to American Revolution" This however was the beginning of the abolition of the slave trade.
“When I looked round the ship too, and saw a large furnace of copper boiling, and a multitude of black people of every description chained together, every one of their countenances expressing dejection and sorrow, I no longer doubted of my fate, and, quite overpowered with horror and anguish, I fell motionless on the deck and fainted.”
ReplyDeleteTo tag on to what Mario kinda scratched the surface on about how american history undermines slavery. I believe this quote illustrates this perfect just in the sense of how one thing that doesn't get talked about or even taught is the actual capture and trip taken to the americas as a slave. This bring up the reality of how hard life really was for a slave not just always working on a plantation or being sold off but the actual first experience of being captured and forced on boat. This quote shows the harsh reality of being thrown into a new way of life. And what kind of affect it would have on someone. Being chained up and having to deal with wondering if your going to live or die. In a sense this was the slave owners first chance at trying to turn the slaves into a machine or a person with no emotion but fear so they could control them by always instilling fear in them. But for those captured slaves who didn't want to accept the reality had to deal with there first experience of punishment because of not following orders. This was many of the slaves first time having to see a friend, or family member die, either by jumping over board and drowning or being thrown over or being beaten to death all very traumatic for anyone especially a slave.
"This filled me with astonishment; and I could scarce help expressing my surprise that the young gentleman should suffer me, who was bound, to eat with him who was free; and not only so, but that he would not at any time either eat or drink till I had taken first, because I was the eldest, which was agreeable to our custom. Indeed everything here, and all their treatment of me, made me forget that I was a slave." (p. 62)
ReplyDeleteHere, Equiano gives a brief but very telling glimpse into the kinds of things that we, in today's society, take for granted as things that weren't available to colonial slaves. It also laid out a sample of the differences in status as seen through the lens of etiquette in different cultures at the time.
"I and some other slaves [...] were shipped off in a sloop for North America. On the passage we were better treated than when we were coming from Africa, and we had plenty of rice and fat pork." (p. 70)
The differences in tensions and relations between the locational agents of the slave trade -- Africa, the West Indies, North America -- are varied, and Equiano experienced an example of them firsthand.
"The colonists compelled their weak and distant rulers to share their political power." Pg 246
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the rulers were not able to even consider to share their political power with the local people helped lead to their want for independence. The peoples need for being able to rule their own land was a need that couldn't be ignored.
"The massive military build up demanded heavy new taxes." Pg 288
Because of all the new wars that the English were fighting a heavy toll was exacted upon the colonists. It was this toll that helped the colonists learn that in order for their colony survive and thrive in the new world that they would need to control their own destiny. It was this need to control their destiny that lead the way to revolution.
1. "[from] what I could understand by him of this God, and in seeing these white people did not sell one another as we did, I was much pleased;" (Equiano page 75).
ReplyDeleteThis quote relates to the fact that Equiano wanted to be British. He looks at the fact that yes, British did own slaves but they did not sell out their own people like the African did. This was one of the driving factors on why Equiano strived to be British. They were superior ad he wanted to prove that he could be just as intelligent and as strong as they could. He ultimately wanted to identify himself with the British.
2. " O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you?" (Equiano page 69).
This quote connects the Christian faith with the fact that slavery is against their moral code. Equiano is a Christian and he uses his faith to connect to other Christians. If they are supposed to treat each other as the would want themselves treated, then why are they belittling the Africans. Equianos faith is one of the strongest appeals he uses to explain why slavery should be topped or even just adjusted so that it is not a violent process.
Equiano talks about the way the Spaniards who inhibited America the earliest changed skin color over time:
ReplyDelete"These instances, and a great many more which might be added, while they shew how the complexions of the same persons vary in different climates is it hoped may tend also to remove the prejudice that some conceive against the natives of Africa on account of their colour. Surely the minds of the Spaniards did not change with their complexion!"
Equiano makes a scientific case against the belief that Africans, or any colored person in general, are inferior. In the Northern Hemisphere, there is not much need for protection against the sun due to the fact of climate changes, while people living closer to the Equator tend to have a darker complexion.
"O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God, who says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you? Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed?... Surely this is a new refinement in cruelty, which, while it has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors even to the wretchedness of slavery."
Equiano makes an appeal to pathos, or emotion, to get his point across: that slavery is bad and detrimental not just to those who are slaves themselves but to those who believe the Word and are being Christian in name only.
"To us elslav'd, but custody severe;
ReplyDeleteAnd stripes and arbitrary punishment
Inflicted-What peace can we return?
But to our power, hostility and hate."
Equiano is trying to say through literary allusions that it is impossible for slaves to give peace in return for the punishment and violence they have received. For this reason slave revolts were very common in southern colonies.
"All nations and their people I had htherto passed through resembeled our own in their manners, customs, and language: but i came at length to a country, the inhabitants of which differed from us in all those particulars."
Equiano mentions how religion and culture seem so different between the slaves and the colonists. This shows how and why the slaves and the colonists didn't get along. More similarity in culture might have led to less harsh treatment of the slaves.
“I could only hope and trust in the god of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape” (Equiano, Pg 123)
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows that religion was a big part of his life. He needed to show his belief in something bigger than him to always keep him in a sort of check. Also proved that God wanted to be a biritsh citizen. By alowing the acceptance of the a Supreme Being.
"Even God-fearing men and women who believed slavery was wrong were not prepared to give up such a lucrative business" (12).
Even though many people saw that God was not approve in slavery they nonetheless still continued in the process of selling and trading slaves.
“I could only hope and trust in the god of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape” (Equiano, Pg 123)
ReplyDeleteThis passage shows that religion was a big part of his life. He needed to show his belief in something bigger than him to always keep him in a sort of check. Also proved that God wanted to be a biritsh citizen. By alowing the acceptance of the a Supreme Being.
"Even God-fearing men and women who believed slavery was wrong were not prepared to give up such a lucrative business" (12).
Even though many people saw that God was not approve in slavery they nonetheless still continued in the process of selling and trading slaves.