Equiano's Slave Narrative as a Spiritual Conversion Story

Introduction: Equiano and the Slave Narrative Tradition

This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the classic slave narrative The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African by Olaudah Equiano. Specifically, it addresses the questions: In what way is Equiano writing a conversion narrative, and what does that conversion entail? Equiano's work was one of the first slave narratives ever written and published. Throughout it, his spiritual conversion is evident and is one of the strongest aspects of the narrative. Equiano's work brought the horrors of slavery to the public eye and showed how a spiritual conversion can alter the course of a man's life. Methodist founder John Wesley urged his followers to write their own autobiographies as "means to moral self-evaluation and spiritual improvement" (Taylor 31), and Wesley read Equiano's autobiography shortly before he died. This narrative also clearly illustrates how a writer's use of language has a major effect on the lasting power and impact of a work.

Author Equiano had many experiences to share with his readers when he wrote his narrative. He had served as a young boy on board ship for his English master. He fought in the French and Indian War alongside his master. He witnessed slaves being mistreated in the West Indies and was cheated out of the freedom he had worked for by a dishonest master. He became a businessperson, traveled the world — including the North Pole — helped resettle slaves to their native Africa, and spoke out loudly against slavery. The narrative describing his many experiences brought the horrors of slavery home to a wide audience. In the end, twenty-two editions of his book were published, and it remained popular literary material even after his death in 1797.

The Conversion Narrative Framework

Equiano's work contains many aspects of the conversion narrative. By the end of the narrative, it is apparent that Equiano feels he has attained grace in the eyes of the Lord and that he does the Lord's work. From humble beginnings, he has risen to become a powerful voice against slavery, and more than that, he has become a Christian rather than a "heathen." He has learned more about himself in the process and shown others how to save themselves and attain grace. All of these aspects of his work add up to a sensational story and a spiritual journey through life toward ultimate grace.

His narrative also follows the accepted stages of the conversion narrative, which include humiliation, vocation, exaltation, and possession. For example, he opens his narrative with the quote: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation" (Equiano 34). He also writes, "[B]ut when I compare my lot with that of most of my countrymen, I regard myself as a particular favourite of Heaven, and acknowledge the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life" (Equiano 41). These passages illustrate both his exaltation at his redemption and his possession of the knowledge that he has attained grace. This awareness builds throughout the narrative until the reader fully understands the author's spiritual progression.

References

Equiano, Olaudah. "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African." I Was Born a Slave: An Anthology of Classic Slave Narratives, 1770–1849. Ed. Yuval Taylor. Vol. 1. Chicago: Lawrence Hill Books, 1999. 29–180.