Equiano
... Throughout the text, Equiano shows how he sees himself as European American, as well as African, by flipping between using first person and third person. “Our land is uncommonly rich and fruitful, and produces all kinds of vegetables in great a abundance” (p 15). In this case he includes himself as a member of African society while describing the fertile lands of Africa. Just following this description, he proceeds to do the opposite, “As to religion, the natives believe that there is on Creator of all things, and that he lives in the sun…” (p 17). By using third person, Equiano distances himself from his African descent, but then uses first person to show that he is still African; this contradiction clearly demonstrates an inner struggle. The lack of a true ethnicity holds true with the American culture’s split identity the same way that Equiano continuously changed. Along with this so-called ethnic struggle, America was a country based on monetary gain. In many cases the colonies were established in hopes of gaining a profit. From its beginning, America was thought to have great promise; to be a land of opportunity. This is exactly what it turned out to be. The American dream was something fresh and new. It was a special offer; people had a chance to change their lives by coming to America. America as “the land of opportunity” even presented itself in the life of Equiano. Through the trade that developed within the context of the new world, Equiano, as a “free” black man, had the chance to try his luck. “After I had been sailing for some time with this captain, at length I endeavoured to try my luck and commence merchant” (p 84). In his attempt to impress the wealthy British Parliament, Equiano gave a representation of the American dream. From a single half bit, his capital amounted in total to a dollar in the space of a month (85). He proved that a person can make something out of nothing, since it was through this economic success that he purchased the greatest prize of all, his freedom. This basic principle of success through work is an intricate part of American society and validates America as the land of opportunity. Despite the importance of monetary gain to the colonization of America, another one of the main reasons for the sudden migration to America was a result of the religious persecution that was taking place throughout Europe. Coming to America guaranteed a certain right to practice one’s own beliefs. With religion being a major reason for coming to America, God (as most colonists were Christian) became an import in the lives of early Americans. A strong religious faith was not only common, but expected from Americans; God was trusted to help guide them through the harsh realities of life. During his life, Equiano faced numerous struggles. As a slave he received horrible treatment, yet one day while he was employed as a steward for a ship, he turned to God. “In this deep consternation the Lord was pleased to break in upon my soul with his bright beams of heavenly light; and in an instant, as it were, removing the veil, and letting light into a dark place” (p 144). With this conversion, God became the most important priority in Equiano’s life. Any fortune of his was now recognized as a blessing from God. Equiano even accredited his own entrepreneurial endeavors to God. With God as the foundation of his life, Equiano again became an accurate representation of what it meant to be an early American as God meant to him what it ...