Olaudah equiano’s life underscored what eighteenth-century theme?

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Olaudah equiano’s life underscored what eighteenth-century theme?

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The title of Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography gives you an insight into the answer to this question. His memoirs were published in 1789 with the title, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African.” Note that he identifies himself as “The African” as an emphasis on the theme of pride in his African cultural heritage. Abducted and sold into slavery at about 11 years old in Africa, Equiano (one of whose owners eventually gave his name as a slave “Gustavus Vass”) recounted his memoirs of the tortured experience brought to America on a ship slave, as well as his experience as a slave in the Caribbean, Europe and America. (It was bought by several different owners over time.) Its last owner, Robert King, allowed Equiano to work to buy his freedom, and by 1768 he did so and went to England.

Nationalism and pride in one’s place of origin became increasingly themed in the 18th century and would have a profound effect on the 19th century. Equiano’s life story emphasizes this kind of self – assertion about who he was and where he came from.