The topic at hand this week is whether or not we believe through evidence that Equiano was born in Africa or Carolina. Through the reading of the introduction to The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, and the Carey table I feel that there is enough information to create an opinion on his birth. Through the documents provided as well as my life experiences I feel that Equiano was not born in Africa but in Carolina.
There are key points in the chart as well as the text that have convinced me that Equiano was born in Carolina. Equiano was very detailed in much of his writing and very date specific. In Carey’s research it was found that most of the experiences and dates match up to documents found. However when it comes to the dates of Equiano’s travel from Africa the dates and ship names do not match up. It is also very important to note that Olaudah Equiano is not his proper name. Documents show that his true name was Gustavus Vassa which is a very European name rather than African.
The details about Equiano’s African upbringing are said to be stolen from other books of the time. I do feel that Equiano may have borrowed some of this information along with material he may have heard through the African community. I do not believe that Equiano ever lived in Africa.
I was born and raised in Spain. I lived there for 8 years and moved to Florida. Through my experience in life I do not remember anything about Spain in great detail. The differences in living may not be as polar as Africa and Carolina but from Spain to Florida there are many differences. I feel that if Equiano had been from Africa and been brought to Carolina at 9 he would remember bits of Africa but not as much as he claims to have.
I also believe on of the strongest arguments in the claim against Equiano being from Africa is the documents about his baptism. Equiano claimed to be born in Carolina at the time of his baptism. He had no reason to lie when he was younger. As he grew up and wrote the book he needed a better story to tell to assist him in his abolishment of slavery. That’s why I believe he acted as though he truly were African.
I agree with you that Equiano was, in fact, born in Carolina. In my blog post, I used many of the same points as you, but I feel your personal experience about your childhood in Spain really adds to your argument. It enables a view of the argument from the driver's seat, showing how detailed memories at such a young age are probably impossible. Using your personal history really challenges Equiano's book and substantially adds to the argument which states Equiano compiled his African past from stories.
ReplyDeleteWhile, I don't share your same opinion, I do think you raised some good points to support your thesis. I do think his book resonates more because he represents himself as African in birth. The book very much illustrates the integrity of his character. To lie about his birthplace and the need to be taught English goes against every moral code. I do think you're right when you say that Equiano could not have remembered all the details of his first years in Africa so well. However, that's not enough evidence to suppose he was lying about his origins.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is a possibility that Equiano was from Carolina, I do think that the basis for the argument is not as strong as it could be. For instance the name, as we have learned many slaves went by their slave name their whole lives(1). Also as it is pointed out, when he was baptized, he could have either not understood the question(2) or, due to the trauma, he may have been unable to reveal the truth of his origins which, as he got older, he could have come to terms with, and no longer been suppressing.(3)
ReplyDelete(1) Circumstantial Biographical Evidence. Brycchan Carey 2003-2010. http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/nativity.htm
(2) The Realities of Equiano's Life. Brycchan Carey 2003-2010. http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/nativity.htm
(3) Equiano's Psychological State. Brycchan Carey 2003-2010. http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/nativity.htm