Equiano

1
Equiano

• World Lit 2
• Fall 2005

2
Themes

• A theme can be
• A (sometimes)repeated phrase,
• Concept,
• Message,
• Statement,
• Question,
• Image,
• Characteristic,
• Way of looking at things (worldview)

• Wish,
• Criticism.
• Metaphor/figurative language,
• Comment/commentary,
• Projection
• Prediction
• Etc.

3
A theme is NOT

• A Hidden message
• Something that needs a secret key to unlock
• A guessing game

4
Authors want you to find the themes

• Thats why they put them there
• if they were too hard to find, their writings
  wouldnt achieve their desired effect!

5
Literature is still hard work

• And the repeated themes, patterns, messages, and
  experiences are

• The reward!

6
Groups

• A Bahe, Carr, Webster, Rochford, Souchek
• W Thorn, Boesen, Bresel, Luark
• G Kendall, Ming, Peak, Robinson

• D Bodewitz, Buck, Herman, Scott
• P Bauer, Butler, Bolz, Youngblood, Gregg
• W Fischer, Songy, Valdez, OReilly

7
In Groups

• What are 3 principal themes
• of Equianos narrative?
• (20 minutes)
• Hypocrisy/criticism
• Irony of Christianity w/slaveowning
• Freedom
• Travel and experience
• Death
• Suicide/release
• Noble savagewonder, innocence, magic
• Triumph over adversitypersistence
• Stigmas of the past

• Humanitys inhumanity to itself
• betteringoneself
• Good fortune, good omens
• civilization (?)
• Determination, perseverance
• Cultural blending
• Where does truth lie?
• Value of educationformal and practical/experienti
  al--keep moving
• Religion, purification thereof (eliminating
  hypocrisy)
• Loyalty
• Self-discovery

8
Some possibilities

• What is civilization?
• C/c civilizations, religions, cultures
• Concept of freedom vs. slavery
• natural vs. civilized
• Equality
• Punishment
• naming

• Salvationpersonal and spiritual
• Laborwho reaps the rewards?
• Forgiveness
• Kindness
• Pleas to the audience
• morality

9

• Why did Equiano write this?