Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah
Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African(1789), selections from
chapters1, 2, and 5, pp. 1-6, 29-31, 38-44, 45-88, 180-227"
1) What can we learn about race in the early modern period from
Equiano’s narrative? Is this similar to other slave narratives you
have read? if so how?
2) In what was does Equiano’s narrative help us understand the
process of commodification, particularly as it relates to the
human body and the institution of slavery?
3) Much of the course will focus on what is often considered the
“west” which in many cases sees Africa within the margins. How
does a deeper understanding of African trade, culture, slavery,
and economic/diplomatic partnerships inform our understanding
of the development of the west? In your own views how
important was the African continent in establishing powerful
European and North American empires?