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. 

Stephanie Brito

ENG 302

Professor Rumore

May 18 2020

    Through the course of the semester we have looked at different works of literature from the 18th century. During this time women writers held a spotlight in this male dominated profession. We often take the profession of a writer for granted, but women like Aphra Bhen, Phylis Wheatley, and Jane Austen are exemplary pioneer writers of the 18th century. Some key themes within their writing and other 18th century writing include themes of freedom. 

    In Aphra Behn’s tragic story of “Oroonoko” we are told the devastating tale of Oroonoko, a “royal slave”. Throughout the novel we are exposed to the horrors of enslavement during what would be the Transatlantic Slave Movement. Behn puts the question into our heads, “do some people deserve freedom or do some deserve to be enslaved? Reading this novel now the answer is quite obvious, yet to a reader back in the 18th century it was not clear. Slavery was the norm during this time. Behn showed the audience the horrors of slavery to her audience. Behn presented Oroonoko’s story in a way that appealed and created empathy to the reader. As a smart, beautiful, and capable man Oronooko knew that his place was not of a slave. Bhen states,“And why,” said he, my dear friends and fellow-sufferers, should we be slaves to an unknown people? Have they vanquished us nobly in fight? Have they won us in honorable battle? And are we by the chance of war become their slaves?” (Oroonoko). The narrator highlights that Oroonoko is too special to become a slave, although the narrator never chimes in to explain whether they believe slavery is wrong it gives the reader a chance to form their own opinion. Unfortunately, Oroonoko realizes that his efforts to form a rebellion he accepts his fate just like the other slaves. 

    While Bhen used her novel to help 18th century readers who have accepted slavery as part of their lives, Philis Wheatley uses her poetry to almost make fun of the way that these people have come to accept such a horrible act. In Wheatley’s poem  she mocks the idea of Christianity saving her from her “pagan land” (On Being Brought to America). To 18th century readers, they might think that Wheatley feels genuinely grateful that she has been saved when she was taken to America. Along with the theme of freedom, mercy is also brought up in Wheatley’s poem. By using the words, “redemption” and  “Saviour” the reader knows that Wheatley refers to faith and can make the connection that the enslavement was out of mercy. In Wheatley’s poem the first line states, “T’was mercy brought me from my pagan land,” (On Being Brought to America). She personifies mercy and mercy becomes her enslaver who comes to “save” Wheatley. Although both Behn and Wheatley do not make direct claims that they believe that slavery was wrong, one can notice similarities that both Oroonoko and Wheatley faced. Both of them had to accept their fate in the end, and both of them did not end up fighting against their enslavement. 

    Although Jane Austen’s “Northanger Abbey” does not have anything to do with freedom of enslavement. Austen uses her writing as a way to free women from stereotypes set against them. By writing Catherine as a non-traditional heroine, Austen is giving freedom to her character. Catherine also defies the traditional “weak” and terrorized woman she is the contrary. As a child Catherine preferred, “cricket to dolls” (Austen 37). The first image we see of Catherine is nothing like what a typical woman would be written as. Rather focusing on victimization and romance, Austen focuses on how Catherine matures into a rational, competent woman. For readers, “Northanger Abbey” is more of a coming of age story rather than a romance story. Austen understood that the role of female characters in this century were written entirely to be victimised, yet she chose not to focus on Catherine’s victimization by Tilney, she focuses on satirizing their interactions. Austen also critiques vanity in her novel on page 72 she writes, “A woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her the better for it. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former, and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter” (Northanger Abbey). Austen makes it clear to the reader that Catherines efforts to impress others do not work because men will not like her more based on her appearance and women will just look down on her for trying too hard. As a writer Austen questions social customs that can force women into irrationality in order to attract a male partner. Austen knew what it meant to be a female writer during this time, she understood the criticism women faced if they wrote for financial necessity. By breaking gender stereotypes and redefining romance in Northanger Abbey, Austen was able to demonstrate her own narrative freedom. 

    Female writers played an immense role in 18th century literature, Aphra Behn became the first woman to earn a living from writing, Philis Wheatley was the first African-American woman to publish her poems, and Jane Austen was the first English writer to modernize the novel. All three of these women introduced ideas of  class division, race, and female empowerment from the woman’s perspective. 

English 302 

May 18, 2020 

Throughout the eighteenth century, slavery was in full effect. During this time slave trading was common. In the 18^th Century people were captured from Africa and forced into slavery. Slaves were dehumanized and treated with violence. Slaves had to labor and work on plantations, one popular plantation was cotton. A lot of beneficial goods came from cotton. Sugar plantation was also produced during slavery around the 1830’s. Sugar was Britain’s largest import through 1750’s and 1820’s. Sugar plantation was a large business. Slaves were usually brought from Africa to the west indies to work on sugar plantation. Then African slaves would mainly work in agriculture on plantations. Every slave labored; Slaves were assigned different duties. Slaves usually worked for no pay. Some owners would use slaves for entertainment, dancing and singing. Slavery was crucial to American and it led the way to war. Around the 1860’s the number of slaves in United States increased. Slaves had to work under pressure; they were treated with cruelty. Slaves suffered; freedom was taken away from them. Slaves were forced to work and follow instructions, if not they would get beaten. Slaves were forced to live on the worst conditions. Slaves lived in a crowded place with barely any room to breathe.  If slaves didn’t work, they would get whippings and tortured. Masters would beat them violently, rape and abuse the slaves to get them to work.  

Oroonoko was written by Aphra Behn in 1688. The novel of Oroonoko is a perfect example of suffrage during slavery. Oroonoko’s life was a complete tragedy. Major themes in Oroonoko are betrayal, race and slavery. Oroonoko was an African prince from Coramantien, who was tricked and captured into slavery. The captain in the ship tricked Oroonoko into becoming a slave. Prince Oroonoko was educated in Europe, he falls in love with the beautiful Imoinda. Oroonoko’s  grandfather who is the king finds out about Imoinda and Oroonoko’s romance. The grandfather finds out about Imoinda beauty and sold her into slavery. Then the grandfather regrets what he did and hopes Oroonoko won’t seek revenge. Oroonoko is brought to Suriname, where he becomes a slave. It’s harsh Oroonoko was once a Prince and had people obeying him. Oroonoko had it all and people admired him; One day everything vanished gone.  Then, Oroonoko was sold into slavery. Oroonoko’s novel symbolizes that slavery was caused a lot of abuse not only physical; but also, mental abuse. Oroonoko embodies slavery; having freedom and one day being owned by someone. Oroonoko like most slaves don’t harm the captain. It’s illustrated in this quote “Farewel, sir, ’tis worth my sufferings, to gain so true a knowledge both of you, and of your gods by whom you swear”.  Even if Oroonoko suffered he found out, who was the captain. What distinguish Oroonoko from others is that he was educated in Europe. Oroonoko was portrayed as a good man; this text highlights Oroonoko’s death “Thus died this great man”. Oroonoko represents an Arc character because, he ended somewhere else at the end of the story.  

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano presents a message of the abuse in slavery. Olaudah Equiano was kidnaped when he was just a child. Equiano sister was also captured and tortured. Olaudah Equiano felt horror, feared he was going to get killed.  In the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; Equiano some slaves jumped out of the boat, because of the torture they were forced to live.  Equiano was not only physically tortured; he also viewed slaves kill themselves as a child. The abuse was awful, many slaves rather face death. Equiano had no escape and was forced into slavery.  In the Interesting Narrative; Olaudah Equiano describes journey as nightmare. As a slave Olaudah Equiano was sold a couple of times.  Olaudah Equiano is a strong character who is approaching change. Olaudah Equiano Interesting narrative is written for the white audience. Freedom to Olaudah Equiano means work and honor. The conception of freedom to Olaudah Equiano is to earn money. When writing his narrative, Olaudah Equiano gets his freedom. Olaudah Equiano had to make choices in order to get his freedom. Olaudah Equiano describes the situation in the ship; Equine uses imagery “The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us”. The narrator gives details about the number of slaves in a ship. The narrator describes the condition the slaves are in; they are barely able to breath. The imagery the speaker uses help readers to understand the slave’s pain. The narrator uses the word “number” describing the number of slaves gathered in one place.  Olaudah Equiano achieve his freedom by buying it; Olaudah Equiano works for himself.  

Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a poetry. In the poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley, Wheatley describes her experience being brought from Africa to America. Phillis Wheatley was brought into America she was sold into slavery. Wheatley’s poem is ironic, she starts with the lines  “Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,”. She uses the word mercy. Mercy means compassion and forgiveness.  The word “pagan Land” refers to Africa. Africa its Wheatley’s homeland, where she has freedom. She was brought from her “pagan land” to America. Wheatley continues “Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, Their colour is a diabolic die.” People viewed her race has a “diabolic die” she was viewed as sinful. Wheatley poem depicts her experience as a slave.  

Work cited 

Aphra, Behn. Oroonoko, Penguin.2003 

Equiano, Olaudah, and Vincent Carretta. The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings. Penguin Books, 2003. 

Phillis Wheatley, On Being Brought from Africa to America 

Yesenia Leon 

May 18th, 2020

Professor Rumore 

ENG 302

Religion was something that was reflected upon a lot by the writers and poets focused on. They made sure each captured African gained from the transatlanic slave trade was made to convert to Chrisianity. Many poets framed their poems around this idea of enslavement and revolution, many things were going on at this time when it came down to the literary works of the 18th Century. This is an odd time in English literature but it is also one of the more fascinating periods to study, each work contained many different themes and literary devices. The theme religion played in many works was used as a tool to teach slaves the power god bestowed upon them, it was used as a way to signify unrest and anger. It was also used to prove that slavery is wrong.  Here we will analyze three works from this period and connect them to the theme of religion  that was prominent in the 18th Century.

The first work we will discuss is Phyllis Wheatley’s On being Brought from Africa to America which holds a lot of imagery and satirical writing styles. The opening line “‘Twas mercy that brought me from my pagan land” tells us that this person is a slave who was told that it was the mercy of God that led them to these english men. Mercy, redemption and forgiveness are common concepts that anyone would find in Christianity.  Another quote from the poem that supports this thinking is “Once I redemption neither fought nor knew, Some view our sable race with scornful eye,”, which is further going into more detail on how the slave is looked down upon for not having this belief in god, they never got a chance to fight or even knew that they should have fought. Redemption is something that was forced upon them, they must repent and redeem themselves in the eyes of the lord for their sinful practices. Lastly the slave provided some thought provoking imagery with the second to last line of this poem “Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,”, here is where the slave denounces their forced upon religion. What should be paid attention to is how he linked the idea that Christians which are the English men that stole them away from their homeland are all the negative things they call the slave. They are the evil Cain from the Cain and Abel story that is within the bible. This poem showed us how negatively religion was viewed amongst the slave population seeing as their captors didn’t practice what they preached. 

The next work we will focus on is William Wordworth’s  Lyrical ballads and selected poems within this poem the woman that is depectied is shown to be looked down upon. She too was enslaved because according to the poem “Meek, destitute, as seemed, of hope or aim” which was the common attitude slaves had. They were stolen and forced into this messy insane world of god, and masters. She was infear but she did not lose all of her fire because she then the poem discusses “Yet still her eyes retained their tropic fire,”which shows us how she still carries her homeland in her heart. The more chilling ending two lines can be told from the point of view that she fused both her religion and the religion of the slave master. Her prayers “To mock the Outcast.–O ye Heavens, be kind! And feel, thou Earth, for this afflicted Race!” tells the readers that she wishes them to be kind to  her enslavers because she knows that they should be punished for their deeds. She also asks them to feel the earth for them to understand how they treat this race that she now belongs to. 

Lastly we have Oroonoko, which tells the imaginged tale of what it was like to be a slave. The writer detailed being taken, how they found ways to be more useful and how they were used as the English man’s puppet. We see Oronoko change and evolve throughout his enslavement to these people, he truly becomes a different person almost. But he learned from the experience and got to travel around the world and see things no other person had seen. Though  he was no longer a king he was still learning great many things like one. He too was converted but he didn’t understand the religion too well to retain it. 

As you see the 18th Century went through many changes, and its poets had very meaningful ideas to spread. We see women writers and we see slaves being allowed to have a voice, even though it is through white people. The 18th Century connects a lot with the modern world as long as you look close enough.

One theme that deeply resonated with me this semester, one that was constant in the texts examined, was the idea of collaborated freedom versus independent freedom. Some sub themes that became present and arose from these two contrasting ideas was the assimilation of the individual, to a new identity and culture. The 1660’s to the era of restoration were times that reflected the importance placed on honor, class, race, and colonialism. All these concepts played an important role to the idea of freedom. The enslaved, once freed, had to assimilate as as way of survival and as a way to keep that freedom. They had to find a role and identity in European society that would place them in a somewhat equal position to the dominant race, with the dominant class and honor. This was done so as not to be enslaved once again.

Take for example in The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Equiano’s conception of freedom is from an enlightenment perspective. As such, it embraced liberty and individualism. Out of this idea of individualism, Equiano’s conception of freedom entitled him to self-possession, equality, work and honor. His transition of character was contrasting. Some of his speculation were contradictory. Before even embracing Christianity, which became a great part of his newfound identity as a free “slave”, Equiano was rapidly assimilating into the European culture. He says, “I not only felt myself quite easy with these new countrymen, but relished their society and manners. I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them, to imbibe their spirit, and imitate their manners. I therefore embraced every occasion of improvement (IV)”. Here, Equiano acknowledges Europeans are superior, admitting that he and everything that makes him who he is- his race and class- is inferior to them. Out of the admiration and power he sees them execute, Equiano aims to become like them.

Contrastingly, later on in chapter five, Equiano reprimands the same men he admired. He says, “Surely this traffic cannot be good, which spreads like a pestilence, and taints what it touches! Which violates that first natural right of mankind, equality; and independency; and gives one man a dominion over his fellows which God could never intend!” Here, we can see Equiano becoming aware of his individualism, where he becomes conscious of his individual rights. Such as is the right to be free, which he deems a God given right. Similarly, he questions his worth and becomes aware that his worth should not be beneath the worth of other men, race or not. Thus, he in a way demands equality.

In the following chapter, Equiano embraces Christianity, a significant concept of European culture. Equiano’s conversion is an essential portion of his newfound identity. Equiano states, “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.” Where he once admired Europeans, and where he critics their actions as Christians, at this point Equiano leave’s his fate to God’s will. His state of freedom, he leaves it up to a higher superior power. One literary element that was key to analyzing text was, Point of view. Our experience of the story, as readers, was filtered by the author’s perception. As it was discussed in class Equiano’s story can be seen as an abolitionist text as well as spiritual autobiography. It can be seen in the quotations above, religion contributed a lot to what freedom was and how to attain it. In the end Equiano bought his freedom. By buying his freedom, he practices work and honor, both ideas contributed to his idea of individual freedom.

The importance of point of view became clearer in Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko. A work of fiction interlaced with a true-life event, such as slavery, compromises its accuracy. Told from the point of view of an English woman, Oroonoko’s story is romanticized, perhaps to make slavery more acceptable or an easier topic to address in the 17^th century. Behn’s describes Oroonoko as such, “His nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and flat. His mouth the finest shaped that could be seen; far from those great turned lips which are so natural to the rest of the negroes. The whole proportion and air of his face was so nobly and exactly formed that, bating his color, there could be nothing in nature more beautiful, agreeable, and handsome (Ch.I)”. Here, we can see how Behn describes Oroonoko as beautiful in western standards beauty. Everything except the only attribute that makes him non-western, his color of skin, is beautiful. In Behn’s eyes his color of skin is not beautiful. It is not assimilation per se, but Oroonoko incorporates these western features.

Unlike in Equiano’s story, where he focuses on individual freedom, Oroonoko takes a chance at collaborate freedom. A leader among the enslaved, he rouses them to run away for freedom. In the end Oroonoko fails to achieve this collaborate freedom, but unlike Equiano, who aimed to save himself and embraced European society, Oroonoko tries. Class and honor are more transparent in Oroonoko’s story for he is known as the “royal slave”, a grand contradiction is in the tittle itself. Even among his people who are seen as inferior in comparison to Europeans, Oroonoko is above others. Even among slaves Oroonoko is different and somewhat in an upper position.

I would like to briefly point out another individual that does not accurately embody the phenomena that slavery was. All these individuals: Equiano, Oroonoko and Phyllis Wheatley, are example that do not fully reflect the tragic phenomena that slavery truly was. Wheatly as a slave seemed to have led a fortunate live. Her enslavers provided her with education, something that took her a long way. She was intellectual, something that was not expected of slaves. As she became successful for her published works, she remained enslaved. Yes, she did not have the misfortune of other enslaved that do embody the horrors of slavery, but she was enslaved nonetheless. Unlike the other two texts, whose targeted audience appear to be Europeans and written in a way to mind their sensitiveness, Wheatley seems to be speaking for the enslaved, her race to the Europeans. In her poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America”, Wheatly says, “Their colour is a diabolic die. Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain, maybe refin’d, and join th’ angelic train.” Here, Wheatley adamantly states that despite the color of their skin or race that condemns them as inferior in society’s eyes, Africans can be educated intellectual people, and that they are just as worthy in society as any white individual.

Overall, from the texts viewed this semester it was through individual freedom that Equiano might have achieved a collective sense of freedom in the long run, by serving as an example to others or simply by his literary work. Similarly, it became evident that point of view changed how we, as the audience, take in the information of the text. These two elements helped me navigate and be opened minded when reading other texts from that time.

Work Cited

“Oroonoko, Aphra Behn (1688): Oroonoko.” “Oroonoko” in “Oroonoko, Aphra Behn (1688)” on Manifold Scholarship at CUNY, 2007, cuny.manifoldapp.org/read/untitled-bfb21480-7741-4208-9dc5-ec3808e6266f/section/a4656453-5742-46c4-bb53-7c410853bb4f.

“The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789): The Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano (1789).” “The Interesting Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano (1789)” in “The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789)” on Manifold Scholarship at CUNY, 17 Mar. 2005, cuny.manifoldapp.org/read/untitled-07afb070-89c8-4401-b3fc-d37cbae0d9da/section/a515122d-7c11-4f49-bef3-26c2cd83ae66

Jessica Umana 

Professor Rumore 

ENG 302 

Writing Assignment 4: Period Recap 

18 May 2020

 Slavery during the Eighteenth Century 

During my time in this semester, I was able to develop a deeper understandment and gain knowledge on the effects of slavery. During the eighteenth century, African Americans were kidnapped from Africa and sold to American colonies while others were forced to work as servants and produce goods for trade. During this course, I was allowed the opportunity to read several novels and poems which had a greater connection to slavery. 

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn, was one of the first novels we were able to read as a whole during this course this semester. Aphra, in fact, is a white woman who writes a novel on slavery which is pretty ironic. Oroonoko focuses on the grandson of an African King, who was powerful but then sold as a slave and killed. The novel itself emphasises the issues slaves were facing, more specifically, focuses on their ownership and authority as African Americans. The prince, Oroonoko, was transported back and forth during his life as a slave and had to undergo several forms of ownership before he died. However, most importantly, we are able to captivate as readers the cruelty and humiliation slaves had to go through during this specific time through the story of Oroonoko himself.

Furthermore, as we read Oroonoko, we realize how deeply in love he is with Imoinda and how his love for her leads to his death sentence. Shortly, his grandfather also falls in love with Imoinda and quickly finds a way to make Orookoko vanish so that he can have her all to himself.  However, since she wasn’t obeying and giving up on her love for Oroonoko, the grandfather decided to sell them both into slavery. After being enslaved, Oroonoko realized the cruelty and the quality of life these African Americans were forced to live in with no freedom whatsoever. He then argued that no one, including  man, women or even children, should ever have to be enslaved. He then encouraged freedom and stated that all the slaves should unite to become a free and supportive community in order to end racial inequality and slavery. 

Moreover, one of the poems we were able to focus on in class was “Being brought from Africa to America”by Phillis Wheatly, an African American poet. She was an African American woman who talks about what women went through during the eighteen century. In this poem, Wheatly speaks on her personal experience as a young girl and emphasises on the time she was taken from her home and brought to Massachusetts to be a slave. She argues that all people no matter the race or skin color, are able to find salvation and be free through Christianity. Wheatly stated, “ Some view our sable race with scornful eye,”Their colour is a diabolic die. Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train”(6-8). In this quote, the speaker argued that many people classify dark skin people to be evil and from the devil. However, she reiterates the importance to know that no matter the skin color, everyone has the opportunity to be saved. More specifically, she states that African Americans should not be shamed by their dark skin because they have access to redemption through Christianity.  

Lastly, in” An Hymn to Humanity”, by Philis Wheatly as well, she combines both christan and classical myths in order to convey her own opinions on slavery. I would classify this poem as being a sort of tribute to Africans that were slaves during this time. Wheatly describes in this poem how she was treated as a slave and resembles her story in the poem. On stanza five she says, “Can Afric’s muse forgetful prove? Or can such friendship fail to move. A tender human heart? Immortal Friendship laurel-crown’d. The smiling Graces all surround. With ev’ry heav’nly Art”(25-30). In these lines, the speaker is referring to herself. She singled out the Afircan Americans and was able to talk on how God compensated for the faults and thoughts of humanity towards African Americans allowing them to feel a sense of relief.

Overall, all three of these works of literature demonstrate how slavery was a huge issue during the eightteenth century. In Oroonoko, Behn tells the story of a African American prince who was taken into slavery and then eventually died from fighting for his freedom. In “Being Brought from African to America” and  “An Hymn to Humanity,” Wheatly speaks on her own experience on slavery and how christianity was the only thing that was able to bring her freedom during these difficult times. Slavery impacted the lives of African Americans in an appalling way and although it no longer exists, it is still very impactful to learn and read about peoples lives and experiences as slaves. Although these individuals no longer live in slavery such as Wheatly, it is something that will forever live in African Americans hearts and will always be an impacting and hurtful story to tell to others. 

Quotes from William WordsWorth “The World Is Too Much with Us” 

“Sea that bares her bosom to the moon”, “the winds that will be howling at all hours”, and “sleeping flowers”.  

Wordsworth uses personification in his poem, he gives nature human qualities. Wordsworth gives the “wind” human emotions. Wordsworth says the wind is howling at all hours. Howling is a form of communication, usually, animals howl like wolfs, dogs and humans. Howling assemble a loud and long cry. There are reasons why humans howl usually because they are unhappy and suffering. William Wordsworth says winds are crying and feeling pain, because humans don’t interact with nature. William Wordsworth also uses personification “bares her bosom to the moon”. Wordsworth implies nature has always been there for humanity.  

Quotes from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. 

“The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us”  

The interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano 1789 the narrator uses Imagery. The narrator uses of imagery highlights each slave suffrage. The narrator describes the condition the slaves are in, they are barely able to breath. The imagery the speaker uses help readers to understand the slave’s pain. The narrator uses the word “number” describing the number of slaves gathered in one place.  

Quote from Oroonoko by Aphra Behn 

“His face was not of that brown rusty black which most of that nation are, but of perfect ebony, or polished jett. His eyes were the most awful that cou’d be seen, and very piercing; the white of ’em being like snow, as were his teeth. His nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and at. His mouth the nest shaped that could be seen; far from those great turn’d lips, which are so natural to the rest of the negroes. The whole proportion and air of his face was so nobly and exactly form’d, that bating his colour, there could be nothing in nature more beautiful, agreeable and handsome.” (154) 

In this passage Aphra Behn uses imagery. The speaker describes Oroonoko as a beautiful person; Behn sets him apart from others in his race. The speaker compares Oroonoko’s teeth to snow. Oroonoko is extremely handsome not even nature could compare. Oroonoko beauty is described as one of a kind. By reading Behn description of Oroonoko the reader gets an idea of his appearance.  

ON BEING BROUGHT FROM AFRICA TO AMERICA 

‘Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, 
Taught my benighted soul to understand 
That there’s a God, that there’s a Saviour too: 
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. 
Some view our sable race with scornful eye, 
“Their colour is a diabolic die.” 
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, 
May be refin’d, and join th’ angelic train. 

The poem “On being brought from Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley. Wheatley uses imagery when he says “Some view our sable race with scornful eye”.  The word “scornful eye” means some humans have negative expression towards them; and look down on their race. They describe their color as “diabolic die”.  

“Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land, taught my benighted soul to understand”. 

Wheatley shows irony in her poem, the word mercy in her poem is ironic. Mercy means compassion and forgiveness.  The word “pagan Land” refers to Africa. Africa its Wheatley’s homeland, where she has freedom. She was brought from her “pagan land” to America. She was captured from Africa to America.  

Work cited 

Aphra, Behn. Oroonoko, Penguin.2003 

Wordsworth. The world is too much with us. 

Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen

“From Gray, that

‘Many a flower is born to blush unseen,

  ‘And waste its fragrance on the desert air’

Catherine is quoting “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray, published in 1751. In this Enlightenment age poem, Gray ponders the lives of those now passed as he walks through a graveyard behind a church and questions what their lives and souls consisted of when still alive. Gray also reflects on the idea that all will die one day. Gray uses the metaphor of a flower that blooms in isolation, in addition to a gem in a cave, to portray the idea that nor all are recognized for their lives. Austen may have selected this line to show how the archetypal heroine often goes unrecognized.

“Not I, faith! No, if I read any, it shall be Mrs. Radcliffe’s; her novels are amusing enough; they are worth reading; some fun and nature in them.”

“Udolpho was written by Mrs. Radcliffe,” said Catherine, with some hesitation, from the fear of mortifying him.

Anne Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho is a classic gothic novel, the genre of which Austen satirizes in Northanger Abbey. Radcliffe’s work follows the heroine Emily whose life is changed upon moving to the castle Udolpho. Catherine reads and enjoys this novel, further confirming her interest in being the archetypal heroine as Austen suggests. When John contradicts himself in his disdain for novels here, Austen again illuminates the role of the novel as a determining factor of status. He attempts to distinguish between high and low-class literature but shows that it is all one when he does not recognize The Mysteries of Udolpho as Radcliffe’s work.

“On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phyllis Wheatley

“Their colour is a diabolic die.”

Remember, Christians, Negroes, black as Cain,

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

Phyllis Wheatley refers to Cain, the Biblical child of Adam and Eve, who murdered his own brother out of jealousy. As the first murderer, Wheatley alludes to Cain to show how even the worst of sinners can be redeemed to the divine and be healed. Wheatley’s audience of white Americans would recognize the allusion and make the connection to the overall message.

Darkness is a prevalent theme in this poem as a whole. Wheatley uses the words diabolical die, benighted, and sable to portray the extreme discrimination of the black race in America. Sable, according to the OED, refers to both a dark color itself, as well as “mourning garments.” Benighted also carries a connotation of “the effect of sorrow, disappointment, etc., upon one’s face, prospects, or life.” This adds an element of grief and pain that discrimination in America.

The Sea View, by Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith uses severe and powerful language at the turn in the poem to intensify the juxtaposition between the serenity of the first eight lines and the war-torn remaining lines. The plague-spots, demons, death, destructive fires, and so on bring a dark tone that is the antitheses of the preceding lines. The bloody scene is further amplified with the pause between destructive fires and the mangled dead. This forces the reader to focus and emphasize these words which come as a surprise.

The tale of Equiano is about a slave who shows whites how slavery is wrong through the education that he obtained through helping his oppressors which led to him writing his own memoir that detailed his life as a slave from when he was picked up, to his name changes, to his use of religion to drive his point across. In the memoir he sounds almost grateful for what happened to him. He was moved to a civilized nation and he found god he even got himself a new name. He appears within the memoir to have assimilated well but don’t let his use of words fool you, he is resisting in a way that kept him safe. His oppressors were very much against slavery but they contradicted their own beliefs by owning slaves. Though they did teach him how to read and write and do simple math they still were slave owners. Equiano’s memoir was the most hard hitting when it talked about how he was taught Christianity, he valued the teachings he was given.  He flipped the script and said slavery is not the Christian thing to do, he gave examples as to why this was and ended his memoir which should be considered as mic drop of epic 18th century proportions. 

This connects to today’s society and what it is like to be a New Yorker. There are many inequalities that are a recurring theme in the black community like education inequality and job inequalities.We find small ways to resist oppression through satire and social media, we narrate our own lives and connect through blog postings and status updates on our social media. Through sheer luck some of us wind up truly educated and successful like Equiano was, though not all of us speak up against the injustices the ones that do scream from the rooftops which is progress  unlike Equiano who was forced to pacify his oppressors through his writing. We find ourselves stuck in a constant battle between the people and the system. having to fight over hiring rights due to our names being different or our hair that at times defies gravity, or even our speech patterns. We have to completely hide our truest selves behind a mask, that hides the anger at our treatment. In today’s society we resist by choosing where we place our money and affect our oppressors where it truly hurts them, their wallets. Religion has taken a backseat in our modern society, money, and power are how we get our oppressors to listen to us. But we are sly creatures. The New Yorker has this thing called a hustle, our hustle allows us to smile in the faces of our oppressors and gain the power needed to truly eliminate them. We are Equiano in a way, we are all wolves in sheep’s clothing biding our time before we strike. So that we can finally finish the fight against oppression from our new oppressors  which are the people we “placed” into power. Our memoirs are our hashtags, it is the status update that you see on your phone, it is in our history, it is in our blood to fight against injustice.