#critiqueofcolonialism

[learningaliving]

Commonplace Entry 5: Olaudah Equiano [The Middle Passage]

Olaudah Equiano exposed the mind of the enslaved African when he penned his experiences. Wrote Equiano, "I asked if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks, red faces loose hair" (982).

Thanks to the ability of Equiano to formally and adequately express himself in writing and speak for himself for the first time English, the people of England were able to reflect on their actions more acutely than ever before. What seems for the first time in English literature, white people's humanity is being questioned. It is likely that Equiano's fear for being eaten seemed absurd to those never having been in his shoes. This world view likely would have been violating to the conscience and awake the interest and compassion of the highest Society of readers, particularly those in government positions.

Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African, Written by Himself, The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 10th Edition, Volume C, The Restoration and The Eighteenth Century, New York, London, W.W. Norton Company, 2018, pp. 982.

[learningaliving]

Commonplace Entry 1: Gulliver's Travels Part 1

In Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver observes the Lilliputian people. He notes, "These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechanics by the countenance and encouragement of the Emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning" (288).

It takes one learned (hu)man to recognize another. Lemuel Gulliver, the main character of Swift's iconic work, has a long history of apprenticeship and knowledge acquisition. He labored under a variety of disciplines before he had the opportunity to depart on his several voyages, finally arriving on the island of Lilliput. Initially, he voyaged for the sake of financial stability but ended up remaining partially out of sheer curiosity to observe the miniature inhabitants, their language and cultural norms. He noted unspoken oaths of hospitality which 18th Century English highly valued, alongside their commitment to learning endorsed from the top down. The government leaders preached education, and Gulliver found this honorable. His observance of education in action, helped him develop a respect for the islanders he may not have had otherwise.

Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels, The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 10th Edition, Volume C, The Restoration and The Eighteenth Century, New York, London, W.W. Norton Company, 2018, pp. 288.