This term paper will deal with the culture shock of African slaves who came into contact with European imperial society. They, being forced to journey to the Americas, must have had to endure and process many cultural conflicts. The journey's impact will provide the basis to investigate on a possible double identity being created by the slaves to arrange with their new culture, as well as with their cultural heritage.
Olaudah Equiano’s The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African will serve as an important resource for this purpose. To begin, the European culture in the 18th century will be looked at. Especially the European attitude towards other cultures will be of interest. Afterwards it will be set into contrast with the culture of the African tribes. A special account will be taken to compare historical data to Olaudah Equiano’s descriptions of Igbo culture and the theme of culture clash will be examined. Included in this, the phases of culture shock will be explained.
In the following section, I will look at cultural similarities between British and African societies, based on accounts of Equiano’s Interesting Narrative. Evidence of his assimilation to European culture will be used when attempting to demonstrate his European identity. Having clarified this, a closer look will be taken at how culture and identity are connected. Following that, an attempt will be made to explain the creation of identity. Focusing on Equiano, the circumstances of developing a double identity will be investigated. Finally, Equiano’s case will be used to explain the progress and stages of double identity throughout his life.
Of course, it is arguable, whether Equiano actually came from Africa or was born in the Americas. However, this is no matter of investigation in the present paper. Nevertheless, it shall be considered by the reader. Still, in this paper Equiano’s report of African life shall be taken as it is. For the purpose of exploring his historical accuracy, I have added the historical account of African nations to either verify or disprove his observations. Disregarding of how accurate Equiano’s historical insides will be, his report unquestionably reveals the effects of cross- cultural encounters on the individual’s identity.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Cultures Involved
2.1. The European Culture of Imperialism
2.1.1 Cultural superiority?
2.1.2 Cultural imposition
2.1.3. The European Savage
2.2. African Culture
2.2.1 The African Nations; A Historical Account
2.2.2 Olaudah Equiano’s Depiction of African Culture
3. Culture Clash & Crossing Cultures
3.1. Culture Shock
3.2. Cultural Similarities & Assimilation
4. Social Identity and Double Identity
4.1. From Culture to Identity
4.2. From Identity to Double Identity
4.3. Double Identity in Progress
5. Conclusion
6. Sources
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the impact of 18th-century European imperialism and the slave trade on the identity of African individuals, with a specific focus on Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography as a case study for understanding culture shock, assimilation, and the development of a double identity.
- Cultural encounter and the role of European imperialism.
- Historical analysis of African cultures and their depiction by Equiano.
- Psychological dimensions of culture shock and acculturation phases.
- The nexus between identity formation and cultural environment.
- The emergence and function of a dual or "double" identity in the context of the African Diaspora.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Culture Shock
Although having experienced cultural variety prior to encountering the white man, the culture shock caused by it must have been enormous. Especially, since Equiano experienced the worst part of European civilisation right from the start. Thus, inevitably the question arises what actually has to happen to an individual to undergo a culture shock. Storti answers it in the following way: “The impact of so much that is new and unfamiliar seriously disrupts your life” (Storti 7). Building on this thesis, culture shock requires the circumstances of a new cultural environment opposed to the one the individual is accustomed to. The new environment presents a threat to the person, because it is in opposition to everything he knows and leaves him in a state of uncertainty, creating a strong feeling of fear. For Equiano this threat manifests in the fear of death: “I asked them if we were not to be eaten by those white men with horrible looks” (Equiano 31) One might argue that, given the circumstances, a fear of death would be a normal reaction not necessarily related to culture shock. However, a culture shock is basically defined through anything that is new, that is presented to oneself in unfamiliar circumstances. This novelty presents a threat to the self because the self cannot anticipate its outcome.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the thesis regarding the inevitability of culture clash during imperial times and defines the focus on Olaudah Equiano's narrative to study identity formation.
2. The Cultures Involved: This section contrasts 18th-century European imperialistic culture with diverse African traditions, examining how technology and perceived cultural superiority facilitated the slave trade.
2.1. The European Culture of Imperialism: The text explores how European concepts of nationhood and technological advancement led to cultural imposition and an imperialistic, often racist, worldview.
2.1.1 Cultural superiority?: This subsection discusses the 18th-century confusion between race and culture, which fostered an imperial arrogance and the dehumanization of non-European groups.
2.1.2 Cultural imposition: This section details how European technological advantages, specifically in shipbuilding and weaponry, allowed for the systematic subjugation of foreign peoples.
2.1.3. The European Savage: This analysis focuses on Equiano’s observations of brutal and lawless behavior among Europeans, challenging the notion of their inherent "civilized" nature.
2.2. African Culture: This chapter contextualizes African societies as distinct and organized entities before the intervention of European traders and colonial forces.
2.2.1 The African Nations; A Historical Account: The text uses the Zulu nation as an example of a hierarchical, sophisticated African society to correct misconceptions held by European observers.
2.2.2 Olaudah Equiano’s Depiction of African Culture: This subsection verifies the historical accuracy of Equiano’s accounts of Igbo customs, social hierarchy, and religious beliefs.
3. Culture Clash & Crossing Cultures: This chapter introduces the theoretical framework for understanding the encounters between different cultural heritages and their impact on the individual.
3.1. Culture Shock: The author defines culture shock through the experiences of Equiano, detailing the psychological transition from fear and uncertainty to eventual acclimatization.
3.2. Cultural Similarities & Assimilation: This chapter examines how Equiano identified parallels between African and European traditions to facilitate his own integration into Western society.
4. Social Identity and Double Identity: This section investigates the theoretical connection between cultural belonging and the construction of the self, focusing on the concept of identity fluidity.
4.1. From Culture to Identity: The chapter explores how culture and self are mutually constituted and how learning and rituals play a crucial role in forming a social identity.
4.2. From Identity to Double Identity: This section discusses the possibility of creating a second identity or switching identities based on the environmental and social context of the individual.
4.3. Double Identity in Progress: This final analytical chapter provides evidence of Equiano's hybrid identity, exemplified by his use of two names, and how he navigated being both African and British.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the main arguments, reaffirming that culture and identity are in constant flux and that Equiano’s case exemplifies the possibility of navigating cross-cultural encounters.
6. Sources: This section lists the primary and secondary literature used to construct the analysis of Equiano's life and the relevant socio-cultural theories.
Keywords
Olaudah Equiano, African Diaspora, Culture Clash, Culture Shock, Double Identity, Imperialism, Slavery, Assimilation, Social Identity, Intercultural Encounter, Igbo Culture, Acculturation, Colonialism, Identity Formation, British Society
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the intersection of culture, identity, and the psychological impact of imperialism on African slaves, specifically through the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano.
What are the core themes addressed in the work?
The study centers on culture shock, the influence of European imperialism, the process of cultural assimilation, and the development of a double or hybrid identity in individuals exposed to vastly different societal norms.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how Equiano processed his traumatic relocation to the Americas and used his writing to negotiate an "Afro-British" identity while surviving within the structures of European society.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, combining historical data about African and European societies with psychological theories regarding culture shock (such as those by Storti and Schreiner) to interpret Equiano’s narrative.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The body covers the nature of European imperial arrogance, the historical realities of African tribal systems, the specific psychological phases of culture shock, and the mechanisms of assimilation through finding cultural commonalities.
How would you characterize this work based on its keywords?
The work is a cross-disciplinary study involving history, psychology, and literature, focused on the post-colonial analysis of the 18th-century slave trade and the resulting identity transformations.
How does the author explain the concept of a "double identity"?
The author argues that Equiano, by navigating between his African heritage and his desire for assimilation into British society, developed a "double consciousness." This allowed him to view both cultures from an outsider's perspective, ultimately using this position for political advocacy against the slave trade.
What role do names play in the author's argument about identity?
The author highlights that the usage of both his African birth name and his European-imposed name, "Gustavus Vassa," serves as a symbolic marker of his hybrid identity, representing his bridge between two worlds.
Why is the author's analysis of Equiano's childhood important?
The author contends that because Equiano was kidnapped before his identity was fully formed, his "incomplete" African identity made him more susceptible to, and eager for, assimilation into the dominant European culture, which he perceived as the only path to achieving status and freedom.
- Quote paper
- Magister Artium Lukas Szpeth (Author), 2011, Culture-Shock and Double Identity in Slave-Trading Times. The Case of Olaudah Equiano’s Interesting Narrative, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/455404
