AML 4213: Journeys to America

Prof. B. Harvey

                                    REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR EQUIANO

1)         Equiano, as he describes his village, switches b/w using "our" and "they": is this significant?

2)         Equiano is horrified by the brutality of the "middle passage"--but what do you make of his curiosity about various aspects of British-European culture/technology?

3)         As Equiano's story proceeds, does he divest himself of his "African" identity?

4)         How do economic metaphors influence the way that Equiano thinks about his religious experiences?  In what other ways do you see Equiano as exemplifying what I called 18th-century "homo economicus"?

5)         Recall the Mosquito Indian episode and the last pages in which Equiano speaks of bringing commerce to Africa--has he become an imperialist himself?  Is Equiano an "Ariel" (in fact or because of "white" audience)? Does he harbor any "Caliban" feelings?