Olaudah Equiano's compelling narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano is one of history's starkest and most multifaceted arguments for the abolition of slavery. Captured and forced into the slave trade when he was only eleven years old, Equiano tells his story as a member of the African upper class, as a submissive slave and finally as a free man. This novel stands out because it provides greater insight into the evils of slavery than simply describing its physical horrors. Therefore, Equiano's narrative proves to be an effective antislavery text because it looks at slavery from a three-dimensional perspective and aims to convince the reader of the crimes of slavery towards social stratification, intellect, religion, and economics. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As mentioned above, Equiano comes from an upper-class family from the Kingdom of Benin in Africa, and his upper-class background strongly shapes Equiano's views on slavery. As a result of his family's privileged status, Equiano was exposed to the institution of slavery at an early age, as his family owned many of them. However, what Equiano wants readers to understand is that the slavery that Westerners know is very different from what took place in Africa. In the West, slaves were treated like second-class citizens, while in Africa slaves were treated exactly like normal citizens, with the only lack of freedom. “How different was their condition from that of the slaves in the West Indies! They don't work more with us than other members of the community, including their master; their food, clothing, and shelter were nearly the same as theirs” (40-41). While most likely due in part to his former upper-class status, it is interesting to note that Equiano never once denounces his village's use of slavery, even as his arguments become increasingly anti-slavery as the book goes on. Therefore, the value Equiano places on class makes him hate slavery even more, as slaves are not only lower class, but essentially subhuman. Furthermore, Equiano values ​​knowledge and intellect and appeals to his readers to abolish slavery, as slavery crushes everything. intellectual and social potential that African slaves would have. Already acutely aware of social status, Equiano realizes what white men do to stand out and desires to acquire these skills. “Not only did I feel quite comfortable with these new compatriots, but I appreciated their society and their ways. I no longer considered them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had a stronger desire to resemble them..." (72). Therefore, Equiano has a strong understanding of class and status lines and what one should or should not do to cross these sectors. Equiano's eventual liberation from slavery was due in large part to his ambition and desire for knowledge, as Equiano recognized that these things ranked higher on a class's list. He learned to read and write and impressed his white teachers and befriended them as tutors, allowing him to embark on an entirely new mission within the abolitionist movement. Within Western society, slavery was not questioned because society pushed the idea that Africans and whites were not even the same species, giving whites no reason not to enslave their black counterparts. Equiano's desire to learn andto please allowed him to challenge this antiquated thinking and humanize himself for the good of his people. Intelligence allowed Equiano to forgo social barriers and establish his own identity, but his experiences were rare, and most slaves were never given the opportunity to learn literary skills. Therefore, for Equiano, a man who values ​​both knowledge and status, slavery is frightening because enslaving a person prevents him from becoming an upstanding member of society, preventing him from reaching his full potential, a right that every man should have. pursuit of knowledge, Equiano is introduced to Christianity, which thus becomes one of Equiano's strongest arguments against slavery. Often quoting directly from the Bible, Equiano emphasizes the "Golden Rule," or Matthew 7:12, which states, "Therefore, in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you..." (Matthew 7: 12 NIV). Equiano uses this verse to denounce readers for their lack of exercising even the most basic human compassion and the most basic Golden Rule. After converting to Christianity, Equiano is faced with the notable incompatibility that the institution of slavery poses for Christianity. Whether slave owners are kind or cruel to their slaves, slavery is not in accord with biblical teachings, especially in the New Testament, which Equiano highlights by saying, "Jesus tells us that the oppressor and the oppressed are both in his hands" (108 ). In this way, Equiano invites readers to consider the horrors of slavery both as people of faith, family members, and friends. Although Equiano was distinguished by his intelligence and ambition, Africans were still considered animals. Equiano's rationality throughout the novel, but especially in his appeal to faith, challenges his stereotype in a society that relied on this animal stereotype to perpetrate slavery by dehumanizing them. The use of scripture allowed Equiano to remind his audience that slaves are also human beings, despite the animals that society tries to make them seem. Equiano not only used his faith to argue against slavery, but he also relied heavily on prayer and what he believed was God's plan for his life during his most difficult times as a slave. Therefore, Equiano's faith became an increasingly important part of the argument against slavery, as slavery is at odds with biblical teachings about how men should treat one another, as well as their worth in the eyes of God. Although horrible because Equiano realizes this after himself propagating the horrors of slavery, another argument Equiano makes in favor of abolishing slavery is that its abolition would help the British economy. In an attempt to acquire enough money to purchase his freedom, Equiano finds himself a slave trader, witnessing firsthand the "torture, murder, and every other barbarity and iniquity imaginable" (194). Even though he stoops to the level of enslaving others to free himself, his experiences add depth to his anti-slavery argument. “The population, the bowels and surface of Africa, abound with valuable and useful returns… it opens an infinite field of trade to British manufacturers and merchant adventurers. Industrial interest and general interest are synonymous” (194). An unusual argument in favor of the abolition of slavery, the economic impact of which is certainly of considerable value. As stated, Africa was a land saturated with lost riches that would surely have piqued the curiosity of industrialized Britain, which might have, if slavery had been.