Olaudah Equiano's Views of Europe and European Christianity
General Material Designation
[Article]
First Statement of Responsibility
Martha Th. Frederiks
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.
Leiden
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Brill
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This article investigates Olaudah Equiano's representations of Europe and European Christianity. It argues that Equiano's depictions of Europe are ambiguous, reflecting both his admiration for Europe's grandeur and development as well as his rejection of Europe's exploitative practices. His descriptions of Igboland mainly reflect European abolitionist and colonial discourses. Equiano's religious representations are multi-facetted; they mirror his evangelical convictions, yet also express an appreciation for Islam and Igbo religiosity. The overall purpose of Equiano's territorial as religious representations seems reinforcement of his abolitionist advocacy. This article investigates Olaudah Equiano's representations of Europe and European Christianity. It argues that Equiano's depictions of Europe are ambiguous, reflecting both his admiration for Europe's grandeur and development as well as his rejection of Europe's exploitative practices. His descriptions of Igboland mainly reflect European abolitionist and colonial discourses. Equiano's religious representations are multi-facetted; they mirror his evangelical convictions, yet also express an appreciation for Islam and Igbo religiosity. The overall purpose of Equiano's territorial as religious representations seems reinforcement of his abolitionist advocacy.