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Captivity narratives were a prominent literary genre in the 1700s, captivating the imagination of both European and American audiences. These narratives often depicted individuals, either white colonists enslaved by indigenous peoples or Africans enslaved by white slave owners, sharing their experiences of captivity. Two notable authors who contributed to this genre were Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano. Rowlandson's narrative, titled "A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson," and Equiano's narrative, known as "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African, Written by Himself," shed light on the challenges faced by captives and their journeys towards survival and freedom.
Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano, the protagonists of these narratives, both lived ordinary lives until the abrupt onset of captivity.
Equiano, in his youth, enjoyed a carefree existence in his village, surrounded by his family and the comforts of his community. However, his idyllic life was shattered when he and his sister were captured and sold into slavery.
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Equiano vividly recalls the traumatic experience, stating, "One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and only I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both, and without giving us time to cry out or make resistance, they stopped our mouths and ran off with us into the nearest wood."
On the other hand, Mary Rowlandson's captivity began with a Native American attack on her village.
As she attempted to flee her burning home, she was captured by indigenous warriors. Rowlandson recounts her capture, saying, "The Indians laid hold of us, pulling me one way, and the children another, and said, 'Come go along with us.' I told them they would kill me. They answered that if I were willing to go along with them, they would not hurt me."
While both authors experienced the abrupt and harrowing shift from ordinary life to captivity, there were notable differences in their circumstances. Equiano was a child at the time of his capture, possessing limited knowledge of the world beyond his village. In contrast, Rowlandson was an adult colonist who understood the dangers and uncertainties of life on the colonial frontier. Despite these disparities, both embarked on journeys of adaptation, resilience, and survival.
Following their capture, both Equiano and Rowlandson found themselves immersed in unfamiliar cultures. Equiano's journey into captivity exposed him to various societies and traditions, ultimately leading to his enslavement in Virginia. It was during this period that Equiano, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, taught himself to read and write. He reflects on this pivotal moment in his life, recalling, "Nor did I leave my kind patronesses, the Miss Guerins, without uneasiness and regret. They often used to teach me to read and took great pains to instruct me in the principles of religion and the knowledge of God."
Equiano's pursuit of knowledge became a critical tool in his quest for freedom. His ability to read and write enabled him to navigate a complex world and eventually secure his liberation. In contrast, Rowlandson, amidst the wilderness and captivity, relied on her adaptability to survive. She learned the customs and practices of the Native American tribe that held her captive. Rowlandson's adaptation was not driven by a desire for freedom but by the immediate need for survival. She recounts moments of ingenuity, such as when she accepted and consumed horse liver offered by the indigenous people, despite her initial reservations, as it was her only sustenance.
Both Equiano and Rowlandson harbored a deep longing for freedom, yet they also grappled with the inherent dangers of escape. Equiano, despite residing in a more civilized environment, faced the daunting reality of being alone in a foreign land, far from his homeland. He articulates this sense of isolation, stating, "I had before entertained hopes of getting home and had determined when it should be dark to make the attempt. But I was now convinced it was fruitless and began to consider that, if possible, I could escape all other animals, I could not escape those of human kind."
Rowlandson, in her wilderness captivity, not only feared capture after escape but also the perils of navigating the untamed wilderness. She writes, "I wished her not to run away by any means, for we were near thirty miles from any English town." Rowlandson understood that venturing into the wilderness without proper guidance could result in further suffering or even death. Her fears extended beyond human captors to the wild animals that inhabited the unfamiliar terrain. She expressed deep concern for her children, scattered in the wilderness, vulnerable to the dangers of the forest.
Both Equiano and Rowlandson drew upon their religious and moral convictions to endure the hardships of captivity. Rowlandson's unwavering Christian faith played a central role in her survival. She believed that everything transpired for a divine reason and that her trials were a test of her faith. Rowlandson found solace in her religious convictions, quoting Psalms to reinforce her faith and resilience. She writes, "Oh that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways, I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries."
Equiano, in contrast, initially lacked exposure to Christianity during his early childhood in Africa. However, as he grew older and was introduced to white Christianity, he recognized its potential to aid in securing his freedom. Equiano's moral strength, rooted in a belief in justice and fairness, guided his actions. He viewed himself as a recipient of divine favor, acknowledging "the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life." Equiano's moral compass ultimately led him to embrace Christianity as he sought to navigate the complex world of slavery and freedom.
While both Equiano and Rowlandson authored captivity narratives, their narratives served distinct purposes. Rowlandson's captivity narrative, set within the context of the colonial frontier, aimed to illuminate the challenges faced by colonists and to depict her own experiences of captivity. She portrayed the indigenous people as captors but acknowledged that she was treated fairly, challenging prevailing stereotypes. Her narrative sought to provide readers with a firsthand account of the complexities of frontier life and the resilience required for survival.
In contrast, Equiano's narrative delved into the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and the brutal realities of slavery. He revealed the inhumane treatment endured by enslaved Africans and his personal journey from freedom to captivity and back to freedom. Equiano's narrative aimed to shed light on the atrocities of slavery, advocating for its abolition, and challenging readers to confront the moral implications of the institution.
Despite their differing circumstances and motivations, Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano both embarked on journeys of survival, adaptation, and resilience during their periods of captivity. They navigated unfamiliar cultures, yearned for freedom while fearing the perils of escape, and drew strength from their religious and moral convictions. Through their narratives, they aimed to shape readers' perspectives—Rowlandson by providing insight into frontier life and indigenous interactions, and Equiano by exposing the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. These captivity narratives serve as powerful historical documents that illuminate the diverse experiences and challenges faced by captives in the 1700s and continue to contribute to discussions on captivity, freedom, and human resilience.
Exploring Captivity Narratives: Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano. (2016, Sep 29). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/captivity-narrative-essay
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