Week 6: Interesting

    The use of the word interesting in Equiano's story was a bit odd to me- at first. It seemed to be repetitive and stood out, which made me think there was obviously some purpose to the word choice. It seems to be communicating the importance of his experience and how it relates to aboliton. 

    Firstly, the use of the word "interesting" emphasizes the value of Equiano's life story and highlights the importance of personal narratives in shaping our understanding of history. Equiano's narrative is not only a tale of his own life but also a representation of the lives of countless other enslaved Africans. By repeatedly describing his experiences as "interesting," Equiano is drawing attention to the significance of his story and its potential to educate and inspire others. It was necessary that the lives of slaves themselves be viewed not as commodities to be bought and sold, but as experiences that make a human life. 

   Secondly, the repetition of "interesting" also suggests that Equiano's life story is not just a historical account but a compelling and engaging narrative. By using this word, Equiano invites readers to engage with his story emotionally and intellectually. The word "interesting" conveys a sense of curiosity, intrigue, and fascination, encouraging readers to continue reading and learning from his experiences. Beyond just absorbing the facts, readers are supposed to come to understanding of the ideas and emotions presented and how they contribute to the atrocity of slavery.

Overall, the repeated use of "interesting" in the final chapter and throughout the book serves as a powerful rhetorical device that advances and complicates Equiano's purpose and message. By using this word in various contexts and with different connotations, Equiano is inviting readers to engage with his story in a nuanced way that can further his argument for abolition.

Comments

  1. HeatherLFebruary 19, 2023 at 10:17 PM

    Hey Jalen! I really like your reflections on the use of the word "interesting" throughout the book. At the time of its publication, my guess is that many white people thought African lives were disgusting, predictable, simple, and just not worth their time. Equiano's decision to describe his life as "interesting" intentionally counters all that. Also, there is some wordplay with Equiano talking about the financial "interests" in abolishing the slave trade on the last few pages of the book.

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  2. Eloise DanielloFebruary 20, 2023 at 5:15 PM

    Hi Jalen! I thought him describing his life story as interesting was slightly weird at first too, but now it makes much more sense to me after reading the book. Similarly to Heather's point above, I think that he maybe thought he had to include the word for people to read the book. He used it to prove his story was worth reading, which is usually unnecessary, but during those times, he may have seen it as extremely important.

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  3. John SawyerFebruary 20, 2023 at 7:25 PM

    Hi Jalen, I agree that the use of the word "interesting" in Equiano's story serves as a way to show the significance of his personal narrative and the history inside it. By describing his experiences as "interesting," Equiano draws attention to the value of his story and its potential to educate people who read it. I agree that it can complicate the reading due to its repition as well. I like the point you made on it being a case of "nuance", almost like an easter egg within the story.

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  4. Griffin JonesFebruary 21, 2023 at 10:37 AM

    I completely agree with your analysis of Equiano's use of the word "interesting." The repetition of the word serves as a powerful rhetorical device that draws attention to the significance of Equiano's story and invites readers to engage with it emotionally and intellectually. Equiano's narrative not only provides a historical account of slavery but also offers a compelling and engaging story that can help people understand the experiences and emotions of enslaved Africans. Through his use of language and storytelling, Equiano contributes to the abolitionist movement and inspires readers to take action against slavery.

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  5. Paulos HabtewoldFebruary 21, 2023 at 10:45 PM

    Hi Jalen, I never really thought that deeply into the word until reading this post. I kind of just glanced over it. After reading the post though I can see what you see about how just 1 word interesting can convey so many things to the audience. Interesting did give me a sense of curiosity when I first read the title, as I wondered what could be so interesting about Equiano's life, which is what I think he wanted his audience to think when they first saw the title as well.

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