Equiano included many letters towards the end of the final chapter. Throughout the narrative, Equiano attempts to prove his character to his primary audience, English people. Equiano is a curious and resilient character who continues to try to persuade his English audience to abolish slavery. He is a master of understanding his audience. He includes letters that he wrote to the lords, to the Queen, etc. Finally, after all the letters, Equiano ends the narrative with a closing argument in favor of abolishing slavery. Again, since he is playing to his audience, Equiano talks about the economic benefits of ending slavery rather than the humanitarian reasons for doing so. Overall, it is clear that Equiano is trying to reach out to a largely English audience. From an English person's perspective, Equiano is an intelligent African person who has adopted what they believe to be a superior religion (English) and language (Christianity). Equiano continues to build his ethos with his audience.
I am a Catholic, but I haven't gone to Church in many years. I wouldn't be able to tell you about anyone in the Bible! However, after some research, I notice many similarities between Isak in Pachinko and Isaac in the Bible. I chose to examine Isak's similarities to Isaac because I admire Isak for his refusal to conform to societal expectations. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Isaac is the only son of Abraham. Abraham nearly sacrificed his only son due to God's command. In Lee's Pachinko , Isak is not sacrificed against his will, but sacrifices himself for what he believes is right. He sacrifices his honor by marrying Sunja, a woman pregnant outside of wedlock. He also sacrifices himself for his religion when he chooses not to recant his Christian religion in favor of the dominant Shinto religion.
Hi James! I agree with your comments. Equiano's choice of target audience greatly impacts how he structures his argument. I thought it clever of him to come from a more logical, capitalistic angle to prove his point on why the slave trade should be abolished. I think this as well as Equiano's continuous declaration of his faith in Christianity adds the most to his ethos.
ReplyDeleteHey James! I agree with your thoughts on Equiano's mastery of understanding his audience. I wonder what it meant about British abolition, that it was more rooted in economic reasons than humanitarian ones? Was this the case for all abolition, or just Equiano's book? It is interesting to acknowledge that the suffering of people is not a convincing enough argument to end slavery. It says a lot about the British people that they can tolerate that with no sympathy, until it harms their pockets.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how well executed Equiano's' understanding of his audience was. Ideally, a moral argument should be more than significant enough to change people's minds. But Equiano understood the reality, and knew that a lot of English values were based around money. So, he adds an extra financial incentive argument because he knows that's what part of his audience values.
ReplyDeleteHi James! I think you perfectly worded it when you said "Equiano talks about the economic benefits of ending slavery rather than the humanitarian reasons for doing so." I find it so interesting that he knew the English would greater value the economic reasons and care little about the ethical reasons for stopping slavery. Overall, it makes me really sad and kind of makes me question human nature.
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