In four pages this paper examines Olaudah Equiano's eighteenth century narrative and the author identity questions the text raises. One source is cited in the bibliography.
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Vassa the African" was written in English in 1789 and tells of Equianos life as a slave. Originally born in Benen, he was enslaved and suffered terribly but later managed
to acquire enough learning and independence to become a major influence in advocating the end of the slave trade in Europe with the popularity of his narrative. Within the narrative
however, there are several aspects and inconsistencies which bring into question the identity of its author. The narrative is extremely well narrated and written which leads to the authenticity of
its narrator in regards to his educational background. The narrative also changes a great deal throughout in regards to formality of speech, first-person third-person shifts and his surprising reactions to
others slaves in addition to be occasionally afforded liberty in his movements despite being a slave. Another possibility in regards to the narrative would be that while Equiano may have
narrated it, it was written and published in England by someone who may have had a hand in its extensive editing to make it more acceptable within the English publishing
market. In the first chapter of his work, Equiano outlines how difficult it was to do his own memoirs and he apologizes to the readers if they are not pleased
or excited by his account because overall he states that "I believe there are few events in my life, which have not happened to many: it is true the incidents
of it are numerous; and, did I consider myself a European, I might say my sufferings were great; but when I compare my lot with that of my countrymen, I
regard myself as a particular favorite of heaven"; a formality in speech which is maintained mostly throughout the text (Equiano 2,3). Equianos description of his country are very detailed but