Kaitlyn Mader
Dr. Helms
Currents in Global Literature
27 September 2020
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano Religious Analysis
Olaudah Equiano’s narrative is an extremely devastating account of his life and the way that him and those of his culture are treated. By the end of his narrative, he is able to turn it into an encouraging and inspirational story representing how he was able to eventually regain control of his life. Equiano’s narrative involves several genres and themes throughout it, such as; a religious/spiritual autobiography, a captivity narrative, a travel and adventure story, and an abolitionist tract. The European inhumanity is very disheartening in Equiano’s narrative. The way the Africans are treated is absolutely devastating and appalling. Equiano was eventually able to buy his way to freedom, however, that was unfortunately not the case for many other slaves.
The ideas of Religion, Providence, and spirituality play a large role in Equiano’s narrative. When Equiano is first taught about religion, he becomes very intrigued. Not too long after this, Equiano is able to become baptized himself. It was unfair in a way for slaves to undergo baptisms because of the fact that usually a baptism was a ritual that meant they would become free. However, this was not the case for them. It takes Equiano quite some time before he dives deeper into his religious journey as a Christian. Equiano starts to try and relate some of the Christian readings and teachings he has learned about to his own life. As Equiano’s life continuously takes turns for the worst, he relates Christianity to his life by wondering if God is punishing him for any sins that he has committed. As Equiano’s religious beliefs grow stronger, so do his beliefs in Providence, or that God has made all of his life decisions already. His belief in Providence can sometimes be a positive thing, because it helps him with his struggles with cruelty and extreme hardships. However, at other times this belief ends up making Equiano more passive and disinterested in his life because he believes that God has already decided what his fate is and that it is not worth it to even try fixing it.
Later on in the novel while Equiano is on a voyage near the North Pole, he makes the decision to fully take on his spiritual journey and commits to discovering more about his faith. He dedicates lots of his time to Bible studies, reading Christian doctrines, and fully investing himself into his faith. While working on another ship, a feeling comes over Equiano where he no longer feels uncertain about his faith or his relationship with God. It was almost a sudden revelation and discovery of faith that Equiano seemed to experience. “In this deep consternation the Lord was pleased to break in upon my soul with his bright beams of heavenly light; and in an instant, as it were, removing the veil, and letting light into a dark place” (The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano). Equiano seems to live a happier life once he fully comes to terms with his faith. “However, as I was from early years a predestinarian, I thought whatever fate had determined must ever come to pass; and therefore, if ever it were my lot to be freed, nothing could prevent me, although I should at present see no means or hope to obtain my freedom; on the other hand, if it were my fate not to be freed, I never should be so; and all my endeavors for that purpose would be fruitless” (The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano). He understands that there are many mysteries within his faith that he will probably never have the answers to, but he seems content with trusting his faith and leaving the rest in the hands of God.
An important symbol throughout Equiano’s narrative is the Bible. During one of Equiano’s first encounters with the Bible before he even learns how to read or write, he sees his master Pascal studying the Bible. Equiano thinks that Pascal is speaking to the Bible, and that the Bible is somehow “answering” Pascal back. The idea of Equiano thinking that the Bible can answer his master back symbolizes the importance and significance that the Bible actually holds. Later on in his life and on his journey, Equiano himself will look to the Bible for help and guidance. The Bible has lots of significance for Equiano throughout his narrative. Not only does the Bible teach Equiano more about Christianity and give him more of an insight to his religious and spiritual journey, the Bible also helps Equiano learn how to read and write. It also helps him learn to think freely for himself, and decide what he believes. This was something that he never really had the opportunity to do because he had been a slave for so long.
Religious beliefs and practices were numerous and varied a good amount among African slaves. Many African slaves were exposed to the world of European Christianity (Slavery and the Making of America). Because of this, many of them brought these beliefs along with them as they were forced into slavery. Many others converted once they arrived in America. Many slaves viewed the conversion to Christianity as a road to freedom. “In the early years of settlement, for instance, fugitive slaves from South Carolina, headed for Florida, where the Spanish Crown promised them freedom as a reward for conversion. Slaveholders in the British North American colonies became increasingly fearful that Christianization of slaves would lead to demands for emancipation” (Slavery and the Making of America). However, in 1667, laws were passed in several colonies stating that religious conversion did not change the status of a person from slave to free. (Slavery and the Making of America). This relates to Equiano’s narrative, because of how he explains that slaves believed that a baptism would grant them their freedom. “During the Antebellum period and after the Civil War, black churches, not just in the North, but throughout the nation, offered African Americans refuge from oppression and focused on the spiritual, secular, and political concerns of the black community. Following emancipation, the church continued to exist at the center of black community life” (Slavery and the Making of America). Religion and spirituality seemed to have offered slaves a slight amount of comfort during their devastating experiences. Many slaves looked to religion as an escape, or as a coping mechanism in order to help them get through their lives. Religion was a large aspect of Equiano’s life that was able to help him get through his challenges to eventually become a free man.
Works Cited
Equiano, Olaudah. Equiano’s Travels; His Autobiography, the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African.
“Slavery and the Making of America . The Slave Experience: Religion: PBS.” Slavery and the Making of America . The Slave Experience: Religion | PBS, http://www.thirteen.org/wnet/slavery/experience/religion/history.html.
Sprockets and Springes 