Jessica Rodriguez Essay -- English Literature

Moton and Paradise Historical Accuracy in Equiano’s Novel Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, has become a very important piece of literature. Equiano established a new type of literature with this novel. It was the first autobiography/slave narrative ever written. Many other slaves, such as Fredrick Douglass, followed his example in writing autobiographies or slave narratives. Equiano not only gives detailed descriptions of his homeland, of which we still know little about, he also gives a powerful account of the Middle Passage. Despite these captivating accounts, many critics have come to question the authenticity of Equiano’s history. Many do not believe that he was the man he claimed to be. Although there is some evidence to suggest this, there is not enough to discredit Equiano’s accounts. Equiano’s autobiography offers a powerful and truthful account of the author’s history, and his experiences with the slave trade and the Middle Passage. Despite the critics’ accusations, Equiano’s novel is historically accurate. Olaudah Equiano was born in the southern part of Nigeria known as Isseke (or Essaka) in the year 1745. Equiano provides much information on their customs and rituals. He explains in detail the dress, religion, dance, and customs of the Igbo people. One recurring topic is cleanliness. Equiano states â€Å". . . our cleanliness on all occasions is extreme. . .† (9). After his kidnapping, he is astonished at the lack of cleanliness he encounters. He also describes how important dance is in his culture. Equiano claims, â€Å"we are almost a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets. Thus e... ...e to witness the fruits of his hard labor, but he did not quit fighting for what he believed in until the very end. Olaudah Equiano is a historically accurate novel worthy of being treated as a viable piece of literature. Works Cited Carretta, Vincent. â€Å"Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa? New Light on an Eighteenth-century Question of Identity†, Slavery and Abolition, 20, 3 (December 1999), 96-105 Costanzo, Angelo. Surprising Narrative: Olaudah Equiano and the Beginnings of Black Biography. New York: Greenwood P, 1987. Equiano, Olaudah. Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself. New York. Modern Library. 1789. Slattery, Katherine. â€Å"The Igbo People – Origins and History.† November 1999. Queen’s University of Belfast. April 2005. http://www.qub.ac.uk/en/imperial/nigeria/origins.htm.