The Writing Style of Olaudah Equiano in Comparison to Johnathon Edwards
Olaudah Equiano had published his narrative during the same time period as many prominent Puritans like Jonathon Edwards and Ann Bradstreet. However; his writing differs greatly from theirs. Equiano views God as shepherd rather than an omnipotent being waiting to condemn all of humanity to hell. Equiano writes a narrative detailing his journeys from salve to freeman while Edwards creates a religious sermon meant to scare the congregation into repenting. The most drastic difference between the two of writers is their use of imagery. Equiano uses imagery sparingly, whereas every line of Edwards’ sermon is filled with horrifying depictions of Hell. In the days of the colonies, …show more content…
Edwards writes a dark sermon, and Bradstreet’s poems reflect the mundane life of the Puritans. Edwards’ sermon is dark, he wants the congregation to know that God is perpetually angry with them and that they should be thankful for any grace he shows them. Edwards claims that God is, “not only able to cast wicked men into Hell, but he can most easily do it” (171). The dark tone should be expected since this is a sermon on God, however, this does beyond the usual bleakness of the puritans. Edwards tells the congregation that they are doomed no matter how hard they try; they cannot change God’s mind. Equiano wrote a narrative, therefore a retrospective tone should be expected and unsurprising. However, it is not till the final page that the tone shifts to joyful, having been given his freedom he claims no one could put his feelings into words, but they are unexplainable. He is happier …show more content…
Edwards seeks to explain that there is an angry omnipotent God who wishes to punish any human that does not something wrong. He uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the hellish afterlife that awaits them. Equiano on the other hand, gives a historical account of his life, turning to God to thank him for protecting him when he needed protection, and offering praise to God for doing something good for him. Though Equiano does not paint vivid images in his readers’ head, his joyful ending is preferred to the dark tones of Edwards’
Olaudah Equiano had published his narrative during the same time period as many prominent Puritans like Jonathon Edwards and Ann Bradstreet. However; his writing differs greatly from theirs. Equiano views God as shepherd rather than an omnipotent being waiting to condemn all of humanity to hell. Equiano writes a narrative detailing his journeys from salve to freeman while Edwards creates a religious sermon meant to scare the congregation into repenting. The most drastic difference between the two of writers is their use of imagery. Equiano uses imagery sparingly, whereas every line of Edwards’ sermon is filled with horrifying depictions of Hell. In the days of the colonies, …show more content…
Edwards writes a dark sermon, and Bradstreet’s poems reflect the mundane life of the Puritans. Edwards’ sermon is dark, he wants the congregation to know that God is perpetually angry with them and that they should be thankful for any grace he shows them. Edwards claims that God is, “not only able to cast wicked men into Hell, but he can most easily do it” (171). The dark tone should be expected since this is a sermon on God, however, this does beyond the usual bleakness of the puritans. Edwards tells the congregation that they are doomed no matter how hard they try; they cannot change God’s mind. Equiano wrote a narrative, therefore a retrospective tone should be expected and unsurprising. However, it is not till the final page that the tone shifts to joyful, having been given his freedom he claims no one could put his feelings into words, but they are unexplainable. He is happier …show more content…
Edwards seeks to explain that there is an angry omnipotent God who wishes to punish any human that does not something wrong. He uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the hellish afterlife that awaits them. Equiano on the other hand, gives a historical account of his life, turning to God to thank him for protecting him when he needed protection, and offering praise to God for doing something good for him. Though Equiano does not paint vivid images in his readers’ head, his joyful ending is preferred to the dark tones of Edwards’