Isela Larreinaga

English 302

Professor Rumore

19 May 2020

Period Recap of English 302

When diving into the course of English 302, there’s several topics and ideas that come to mind. It can get quite overwhelming if time is not taken to analyze the works being read and to formulate our own thoughts and opinions. This course introduces us to the idea of slavery, freedom, colonization, trauma, and so much more. Each piece of literary work presents their own perspective of how history was made and the everlasting consequences that comes from it. It’s crucial to understand the significance of each story told and how it plays a role in the way history is taught to others. 

In Olaudah Equiano’s novel The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings, we’re presented with the horrors of slavery and the neverending desire for freedom. Equiano doesn’t fail to paint vivid images of his experiences and the near-death experiences that will forever haunt him as he roams the Earth. It’s important to note that Equiano made it clear that not every person, especially those who were white, were not barbaric. He described many relationships he formed in a positive light, he grew close to many and often felt terrible being sold to a different person. Yet even with the positive memories of certain people and places, he doesn’t neglect the idea that many others like him didn’t have the luxury. Most were often beaten to death and disregarded, abused, and taken advantaged for the slightest things. Equiano mentions the “Many times [he have] seen these unfortunate wretches beaten for asking for their pay; and often severely flogged by their owners if they did not bring them their daily or weekly money exactly to the time’” (Page 101). The need for freedom was at an all time high; Many risked their lives to escape or ended up committing suicide because it was better than being on Earth. Slavery took a toll not only on the physical aspect but emotionally and mentally. 

Equiano painted freedom to be unrealistic at one point because buying your freedom didn’t truly hold its weight. He contradicts himself when he believes freedom is the only way to overcome the horrors of mistreatment but even as a freed man he’s chased down to be beaten and viewed as inhumane. This novel helps to present both perspectives of history without disregarding one another; Most textbooks tend to paint a story in a one linear point-of-view, not giving other perspectives the ability to present themselves and to be heard. Slavery is a very complex and misunderstrood topic yet Equiano single-handly shows the complexity of it and what it truly means to be enslaved and the cost of freedom.

With the novel of Oroonoko by Aphra Behn, we’re told a story from a white woman which already raises questions. In Oroonoko, the prince is seen as handsome – like no other black man seen before. He is praised for his physical attributes but is quickly dismissed when he’s forced to become a slave in the colony of Surinam. The perspective that we imagine is a very romanticized way of viewing the history of slavery and humanity. Throughout the novel, Behn presents a positive attitude towards enslavement because it helps to strengthen England and other major powers. In short, Behn didn’t disagree with colonization, allowing the story of Oroonoko to be quite biased. Yet her outtake on these topics helps readers to form their own thoughts even if her ideas and opinions don’t resonate with people. 

Behn makes it quite clear she’s not a reliable source due to her several contradictions of Oroonoko. She loses herself in appreciating his physical looks which is altered to satisfy the acceptable standards that England and western countries had intact. When Oroonoko attempts to fight for his freedom, Behn now describes him as shameful and a threat to the colonizers. He is drawn out to be barbaric and deceitful, and in return, he was to be killed off in a cruel manner because he brought it onto himself. Before his death, he was beaten and tortured in which Behn says “if before we thought him so beautiful a sight, he was now so altered that his face was like a death’s head blacked over, nothing but teeth and eye-holes.” (page 75). In his last moments, he is dehumanized and is just a name that once lived. This novel helps readers to understand the different thought processes and how one’s action is justified (even if it’s morally wrong). 

There’s also the many poems written by Phyllis Wheatley, the first African-American to be an author for a poetry book. Wheatley contributes to the subject of slavery in a different light, she is often appreciative of those who bought her from Africa. She even ended up taking the last name of her owners – she was taught to read and write from a young age. In her poem, A Farewell to America, to Mrs. S.W., Wheatley describes her journey to England and the potential effect her departure will have on Susanne Wheatley. With this poem being directed towards Susanne, readers can grasp the idea that not every enslaved person suffered harsh nights. Wheatley is a testimony to the claim that not everyone is as inhumane as history teaches it to be. Yet Wheatley doesn’t fail to expose the hidden truth and agendas of certain people. Just like Equiano, she didn’t fail to mention the horrible conditions and lives others were living in and made it known that it was wrong. She often used religion within her poems and recognized the fact that in the eyes of God, slavery and discrimination wasn’t morally right. God wouldn’t turn anyone away and many colonizers/slave-owners grew blind to that perspective. 

This course is quite complicated if you look at it from a broad point-of-view. There’s many stories that haven’t been told because they were silenced but we can’t neglect the stories we do have. Each experience contributes to the development of history and how we recognize certain moments. The novels and select poems/short-stories given provided an insight into a topic that is widely spoken about but not as in depth as we would like.

Works Cited

Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko. Canning, 1688.

Equiano, Olaudah, and Vincent Carretta. The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings. Point Par Point, 2007.

Wheatley, Phyllis. A Farewell to America. To Mrs. S.W. 1773.

Isela Larreinaga

English 302

Professor Rumore

19 May 2020

      Critical Annotations Based on Readings

1. Quote from Oroonoko by Aphra Behn

“His face was not of that brown, rusty black which most of that nation are, but a perfect ebony or polished jet. His eyes were the most awful that could be seen, and very piercing; the white of them being like snow, as were his teeth. His nose was rising and Roman instead of African and flat.” – Page 15 

We’re presented with a vivid image of Oroonoko but not the way most readers or people in general would expect. Oroonoko from the beginning of his physical description is much more different than the people of his nation. He’s presented with European-like features and characteristics and the use of imagery allows readers to understand the significance of Oroonoko’s presence and value to society. We, as readers can assume the author pictured him to be this way because it was more socially acceptable. 

2. Quote from The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings by Olaudah Equiano 

“The white people looked and acted as I thought, in no savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty, and this not only shews towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves.” – Page 56 

The narrator discusses the idea of cruelty and not understanding the extreme severity of power and what stems from it. He can’t wrap his mind around the acceptance of abuse and neglect from white men. He begins to question whether or not white folks are the true barbaric ones in this scenario. He’s been called several different names and abused to the point of no return throughout the novel yet he lacked the desire to turn to violence (unless necessary). This quote is extremely important for the novel itself but for the perspective readers and writers look at history. 

3. Quote from The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings by Olaudah Equiano 

“I wept very bitterly for some time: and began to think that I must have done something to displease the lords.” – Page 95

Equiano doesn’t focus heavily on the idea of religion in the novel but it’s always recurring. Religion has been the gateway for many of those who were enslaved. It gave them a sense of relief that maybe one day their prayers will be answered. Many might not understand why religion is such a focal point in one’s life but in this case, believing in the higher powers meant hope and a sense of escape from the horrors one is experiencing. 

4. Quote from On Being Brought From Africa to America by Phyllis Wheatley

“Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

      May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” 

In the beginning of the poem we’re presented with Wheatley’s appreciative attitude of being brought into America because it led to the discovery of Christianity. Yet as the poem ends, her tone shifts – making it clear that people of color aren’t to be seen as evil. Before the eyes of God, there is no one to be neglected or turned away simply because of their skin color. It’s almost as if her poem was a shout into the world especially to her white counterparts that religion does not discriminate. 

5. Quote from To His Excellency General Washington by Phyllis Wheatley

“As when Eolus heaven’s fair face deforms,

Enwrapp’d in tempest and a night of storms;”

Wheatley within the poem uses similes to compare the American Revolution to Gods and Goddesses. It’s almost as if Wheatley is praising the Americans and George Washington as divine. Here she makes a reference to the God of winds and it’s not the only reference she makes to Greek mythology. The use of similes emphasizes her gratitude and admiration for the American people (Especially Washington) who were at war fighting for freedom – a noble act it was. 

Isela Larreinaga

English 302

Professor Rumore

7 April 2020

Blog Post

When reading the first two books and some short stories given to us, I really had to think about the connections it brings to NYC and especially myself. Although I don’t believe there’s a concrete relationship between these stories and myself, I do believe there’s more of a connection to those around me and my community. Most of the narratives that we’ve read speaks on the idea of race, colonialism, and much more. 

I want to speak on the narrative of Oladuah Equiano and how it made me realize the contradictions that arise in today’s age. For instance, I remember reading the section where Equiano mentions how afraid he was of the colonizers and how barbaric they acted towards people who were different shades of skin tone. It was till that passage specifically where I began to feel a toll of emotional weight. For years, and I mean YEARS, people of color have been targeted and ridiculed.They are mentioned to be the barbaric and cruel ones, they have no remorse and lack judgment. People especially within my community have been criticized for false judgment and ideas. People of color are perceived to be the complete opposite of what they are, making it much difficult to trust anyone. As a student in NYC and just a New Yorker in general I can understand why we act a certain way. There’s a level of mistrust in the air and it’s 100 percent reasonable as to why. Like Oroonoko, he was fooled and tricked into slavery, not ever trusting a man’s word again. I know that people of color have suffered tremendously and it shows within my community and when I’m in a classroom. I can feel the tension when the subject of race and slavery come up and it makes complete sense as to why. 

It’s clear to me that reading these narratives proves the point that some people still think like this, i.e., people of color having more attractive, European-like features are to be favored as was Oroonoko. It’s sometimes difficult to navigate texts like these because it’s still something that’s being dealt with till this day. Of course, we don’t have slavery but doesn’t mean there isn’t a modern day version of it. By this I mean the incarceration of black men and boys with minor offenses or not at all. The system doesn’t often work in their favor, making them vulnerable to society and it’s something we see often in NYC. Many young boys of color are often thrown onto the streets for various reasons but one being the fact that they’re not given the chance to succeed. Which in return creates a pathway to the jail system and to me, that’s the modern version of being enslaved. 

Living in a diverse community in New York proves to be effective because you get to witness the different perspectives and what the past means for us and others. Oroonoko and Equiano helps to further develop our beliefs on certain ideas. 

Isela Larreinaga

English 302

Professor Rumore

The first image being presented above depicts the infamous Transatlantic slave trade that occurred between the 16th century and 19th century which includes the participation of the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Although the trade is mainly recognized for the transportation of enslaved people, it also brought on board manufactured goods, live animals, and anything else that was deemed profitable. It’s crucial to understand that back then, boats weren’t sanitary or safe for months worth of traveling. Many of those who were taken abroad against their free will ended up dying from malnutrition, unsanitary conditions, and harsh treatment while being on the boat. This inevitably led to the dumping of the deceased bodies into the ocean’s water, never to be remembered again. As you can see within the image, there were many ports of slave trading, it was almost a never ending cycle of transportation. People were kidnapped from different areas in Africa, some being transported to England first, then to the colonies and others straight to the caribbean islands. Once the slaves were dropped off to their sellers / purchasers, the ships were then used to export goods like crops, and sugar. The Transatlantic trade was a way of income for the colonizers yet it was one of  the most dehumanizing acts to be committed. 

The second image takes place in Delaware, one of the 13 colonies back then. An enslaved man is unwillingly tied up against the wooden post; He’s about to endure a whipping from the white man (one of many forms of punishment that enslaved people had to take). Oftentimes, the reasoning for punishment can be as insignificant as miscounting the amount of crops there is, but making any type of mistake comes with the brutal beating and humiliation. It’s also key to note that one didn’t particularly have to be the owner to punish them. It goes to show the abuse of power that lied heavily on their shoulders and the remorse one lacked. The image shows the man ready to be punished and most likely forced to continue their work as if nothing happened. It doesn’t matter if the person ended up with bruises, cuts, or marks – there was work needed to be done and they were the only ones who could get it done (in the owner’s perspective anyways). Although in the drawing it shows only two men, it wasn’t always that way. I mentioned before that enslaved people were humiliated and belittled to the point of no return; When a punishment was in order, other people were brought to watch the whipping, flogging, and so on. It almost became a game for many of the slave-owners and they believed bringing people in to watch was just another layer of amusement to them. 

I chose these two sources as my objects because of the connections it brings to one of the novels we’ve read, Olaudah Equiano: The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings. Within this novel, we’re presented with the life story of a man who was forcibly taken from his home and sold into slavery. Equiano speaks on the horrors of slavery and what he embarked on in this treacherous journey. When I found the second image where the man is tied up and prepped for whipping, it reminded me of when Equiano mentioned in one of the chapters how “Many times [he] have seen these unfortunate wretches beaten for asking for their pay; and often severely flogged by their owners if they did not bring them their daily or weekly money exactly to the time” (p. 101). Equiano perfectly paints a picture of misfortunate and cruelty that lied within the hands of enslaved owners and how they executed their disapproval. As for the first image and its connection to the story, Equiano dedicates a chapter on telling readers the journey of crossing the Atlantic and how the transporting of Africans was no better than being on land. He said “When I looked round the ship too, and saw a large furnace of copper boiling, and a multitude of black people of every description chained together…I no longer doubted my fate, and quite overpowered with horror and strength.” (p. 55) He already understood the condition of the boat and how uncomfortable it was to be on it but as he took in the atmosphere around him, he realized he wasn’t the only one going through this hardship. He then accepted the idea of being sold into slavery and even potentially dying on the boat before being sold off.  

All in all, these two images doesn’t explicitly show the horrors and chaos that comes with slavery but it gives a good idea on how it was executed onto the unfortunate souls that couldn’t escape their “fate.” The Transatlantic slave trade was a huge factor into the growth of slavery and wealth (for those who were white and had money). As for the depiction in the second image, we can only conclude that punishment was one of many things that enslaved people had to endure. These images go well with the story of Equiano because it adds more depth into what is being read. 

Works Cited

“The Transatlantic trade.” Slavery and Anti-Slavery: A Transnational Archive. 2000. http://find.g ale.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/sas/imageGallery.do?page=ImageGallery&recordID=s as_00037&inPS=true&prodId=SAS&userGroupName=lehman_main&pageNumber=1&       method=doImageDisplay&contentSet=SASM

“Whipping post and pillory, Delaware” Slavery and Anti-Slavery: A Transnational Archive. 1865 http://find.gale.com.lehman.ezproxy.cuny.edu/sas/imageGallery.do?page=ImageGallery&  recordID=sas_00059&inPS=true&prodId=SASAS&userGroupName=lehman_main&pageN
umber=1&method=doImageDisplay&contentSet=SASM