Equaino Presentation

Prelude & Thematic Statement

The North Atlantic Slave Trade was a period of inhumanities. In that era, people were stolen, beaten, indoctrinated, and deprived of their human rights as a person with a conscience. However, the one thing taken from them was their identity and the sense of identity they held. Bunched together simply because of the pigmentation of their skin, they were deprived of their individuality, their very uniqueness, a special essence different to everyone else that made them who they are. When it comes to The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equaino or Gustavas Vassa, The African, a memoir about the life of an ex-slave and his experience in a world of slavery, it makes sense that a recurring theme of identity is noticeable. The word sonder means to be struck by the sudden realization of that every random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. Everyone of these slaves, ex-slaves, liberators, all with stories from their life that make them who they are.

With this, a subliminal thematic statement is formed, that being that every individual’s identity is formed by what they’ve experienced, who they are, and what they were born with.

Culture

As Equiano explains “They had been implanted in me with great care and made an impression on my mind, which time could not erase… for weather the love of one’s country be real or imaginary, or a lesson of reason, or an instinct of nature, I still look back with pleasure on the first scenes of my life, though that pleasure has been for the most part mingled with sorrow.” (Equiano 9).

Equiano emphasizes the long-lasting effect of these early impacts on his identity as he muses in this chapter about the everlasting power of cultural values and a strong sense of attachment to his native country. His memories' entwining of joy and grief points to the nuanced layers that contribute to the development of his identity as molded by both positive and difficult experiences, indicating the complexity of his relationship with his roots.

Names and Identities

Equiano’s experiences as a slave were mostly on ships, sailing under a master/ captain of the ship. While on board Equiano’s name was changed to Michael, Jacob and then eventually Gustavus Vassa. Equiano’s name changed his identity by taking away his heritage from him and one of the things he has left to remember his past by. Equiano’s birth name is Olauduh Equiano and in his culture it is an important name that signifies fortune/outspokenness. In 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olauduh Equiano', Equiano writes, “In this place I was called Jacob; but on board the African snow I was called Michael…While I was on board this ship, my captain and master named me Gustavus Vassa. I at that time began to understand him a little, and refused to be called so…it gained me many new a cuff; so at length I submitted, and was obliged to bear the present name, by which I have been known ever since.”. (Equiano 17)

Captain Pascal's Turn

Initial Personality:

Captain Pascal played a fairly important role in Equiano’s life as a slave. Captain Pascal was one of Equiano’s first masters, and Equiano greatly praised him. Equiano talks very positively about Captain Pascal, and he was very grateful to have Captain Pascal as his master in England. Equiano talks about the various good things about Captain Pascal in chapter four of his narrative, and one good example of this is when Equiano states, “For my master treated me always extremely well; and my attachment and gratitude to him were very great,” (Equiano 23-24). Equiano frequently talked about how well Pascal treated him on a regular basis. Even after he had stated the above, he also went on to say: “He always treated me with the greatest kindness, and reposed me in an unbounded confidence; he even paid attention to my morals; and would never suffer me to deceive him, or tell lies, of which he used to tell me the consequences,” (Equiano 31). From these quotes, you could definitely infer that Captain Pascal, compared to the rest of the population of slave owners at the time, was one that stood out. He had never been described as a bad person by his slave, and was even very respected by Equiano. Equiano had even mentioned how he was attached to him, which is definitely not something that happened very often during slavery. Overall, when Equiano was first working under Captain Pascal, it’s very safe to say that Pascal was a very respectable person that respected others, and was a good person in general.

New Personality:

However, things really change later in the story. Pascal completely changes his personality, and this especially affected his behavior towards Equiano. He was a very nice person and never got angry with Equiano. However, whilst on a ship, Pascal just completely exploded and started getting really mad at Equiano and started threatening him. One situation that Equiano states which happened between him and Pascal was, “But this only enraged him the more; and he continued to swear, and said he would soon let me know whether he would or not, and at that instant sprung himself into the barge from the ship…for he was resolved to put me on board the first vessel he could get to receive me,” (Equiano 31). Equiano was never used to this kind of behavior by Captain Pascal; until now he was only used to the very respectful Pascal that actually cared for him. Now, though, Pascal’s true identity really started to open up. A lot later in the book, Equiano meets with Captain Pascal again after a very long time, and the following happened: “A few days after this I met Capt. Pascal at Miss Guerin’s house, and asked him for my prize-money. He said there was none due to me; for, if my prize money had been 10,000£ he had a right to it all. I told him I was informed otherwise; on which he bade me defiance; and, in a bantering tone, desired me to commence a lawsuit against him for it,” (Equiano 64-65). This now shows the true identity of Pascal, as his personality ever since he switched up on Equiano had remained. Pascal is truly just a greedy person who wants everything for himself, and only used Equiano for the money, which is why he was so nice to him. In conclusion, Pascal’s personality switch really shows the true identity of himself, which is greedy and disrespectful rather than caring and respectful, as he tried to portray himself as at first.

Other Quotes

As the author claims, “Especially when I own I offer here the history of neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant.” (Equiano 1).

Explanation: Equiano's declaration that he does not portray himself as a saint, hero, or tyrant emphasizes a purposeful break from traditional narratives and implies a dedication to truthfulness in narrating his history. By defying easy categorizations and promoting a more nuanced understanding of his experiences, his resistance to fit into stereotypes highlights the complexities and nuances inherent in his identity.

According to Equiano, “May the blessings of the Lord be upon the heads of all those who commiserated the cases of the oppressed negros, and the fear of God prolong their days; and may their expectations be filled with gladness!” (Equiano 96). (Chapter 12).

Explanation: Equiano expresses appreciation and prays for those who care for oppressed Africans, implying that empathy and care for other people's suffering are essential to his view of what it means to be human. The prayer for happiness and heavenly favor for those who understand the suffering of the struggling emphasizes how intertwined people are and how everyone has a part to play in creating a fair and caring community identity.

Theme Development

Through all 12 chapters of the memoir, we believe the theme of identity develops parallel to the events of Equaino's life.

Chapters 1 - 4 serves as an introduction to his life, his background, what was taken from him. We learn about his culture in Ghana, how he was kidnapped and taken into the slave trade, and the early fear and misunderstandings a boy would have being here. Here he is a confused and lost young child.

Chapters 5 - 8 serves as him learning the world, taking notes of things from the people he is forced to serve under and beginning to grow ideas of freedom. In this he also travels the world and finds cultures different from his own, developing his own identity from those he's encountered and him being a free man.

The final chapters, 9 - 12 sees Equaino reaping the benefits freedom, being able to express himself and project himself in a way that no one can change, now forming his own identity. However, he still faces oppression and seeks the same people who took his identity and put him into their box to find his way. Nevertheless, he approaches them head on with the identity he has built.

Final Thoughts

Furthermore of what was mentioned in the intro, the very essence of the identity of those forced to be a part of the North Atlantic Slave Trade were taken away from the victims when they were kidnapped from what they knew and dulled down into the property of another human being. Stripped away to only their physical characteristics, the theme of identity in Equaino is so crucial due to the fact that it's a first hand account. We see these experiences, these tales, from the eyes of a former slave who had his identity stripped from him, instilling a more important understanding of character into the reader. The retelling of these events makes the audience look upon themself when they look deeper, and question what has made them who they are.