3. Conclusion

The autobiography of Olaudah Equiano is a testament to the search for human freedom and a firm indictment of the practice of slavery. Whatever the debate it about its final authenticity this work provides us with a coherent insight into the reality of colonialism. As one critic states, the life story of Equiano gives us a "…picture of 18th-century Africa as a model of social harmony defiled by Western greed" as well as providing us with an"… eloquent argument against the barbarous slave trade. "(Olaudah Equiano: abolitionist and writer)

The autobiography of Olaudah Equiano, besides acting as a personal insight into one individual's experience, can also be interpreted as form of political statement. In this sense it is one of the first written and published attempts at Black self- representation. ( Olaudah Equiano c.1745-1797) It is also unique in that it is one of the forerunners of an entire genre of literature known as the 'slave narrative'. The fact that the author published this narrative himself and that he had persuaded people...

Therefore, in the final analysis one could argue that this work is both a personal expression of one individual's life experience as well as a political act that helped to bring to a close the acceptance and tolerance of the practice of slavery.
Bibliography

Boarding a Slave-Ship. July 4, 2009.

Olaudah Equiano (c.1745-1797). July 4, 2009.

Olaudah Equiano: A Critical Biography. July 4, 2009.

http://www.brycchancarey.com/equiano/biog.htm

Olaudah Equiano: abolitionist and writer. July 4, 2009.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190722/Olaudah-Equiano

olaudah equiano: the life of gustavus vassa. July 4, 2009.

http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/Equiano.html

THE INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF OLAUDAH EQUIANO,

OR GUSTAVUS VASSA, THE AFRICAN.WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. July 4, 2009. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15399/15399-h/15399-h.htm