In addition, others who oppose also question Equiano’s devotion to Christianity as a whole. Considering this, one can understand that it was vital for Equiano to use something that his American and British readers can connect with for his work to even be considered a serious body of work. However, in a time period where most African Americans could not read or write, there were people who constantly sought out to discredit his narrative. In other words, they make the argument that Equiano is simply using religion to manipulate his readers to accept him as a credible narrator. Those who disagree claim that “ knowing what his British and American audiences need in order to accept him as a credible narrator, uses religion as a mask for social critique” (Elrod 409). Equiano presents his audience with an extremely thoughtful view on the role of faith and take a and how it very well may be utilized as a device to overcome even the most despearing situations.Įquiano is one of the most remarkable authors of his time because he was able to take the religion of his oppressors, make it his own, and use it against them to establish his own identity apart from the one that was taken from him.
This form of freedom could arguably be more important to him than his own freedom from slavery. More specifically, the reader discovers how his religious conversion to Christianity signified a type of freedom that allowed Equiano to create a sense of individuality and self identity. However, through his own experiences, the reader reveals just how much of a massive role religion played in his narrative and in his own life. Moreover, many of the White Englishmen who constantly oppressed Equiano also identified themselves as Christians. Upon arriving to England, Equiano became fascinated with Christianity, describing himself as “determined to be a first-rate Christian” (Equiano 74). Religion may arguably be viewed as one of the major themes of Equiano’s fascinating journey. Apart from being a historical piece of literature, Equiano’s narrative serves as a spiritual autobiography illustrating his conversions to Christianity.
Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The interesting life of Olaudah Equiano, is a complex, historical piece of literature that enables the reader to see Equiano’s own personal experiences.
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