Izzy Kowell

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

at one point in chapter 6 #equiano contemplates that being a free Black man is just as bad as being a slave due to the lack of “retribution” given if there’s a crime pressed against you. this gave such an insight into the hopelessness of slavery #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

in chapter 5 #equino punishes himself for his “weakness” believing slavery is Gods way of punishing him for his sins. This reminds me of Julian of Norwich’s reading and Kempe’s. relates back to our ideas on suffering and the significance of it #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@JasSeng103 I’m in the belief that he does try to appeal to the white British reader. I’m still trying to decipher if this relatability is intentional or unintentional. is this relatability endearing or problematic? #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@apupiloffreire #equiano sort of appraises Englishness and he also demonstrates the writing style of colonialist, as we’ve discussed before. He also has a focus on returning to England #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@apupiloffreire i feel it’s both. similar to milton in the sense that #equiano challenges our conventional beliefs of god and heaven. different however because this is a more direct implication of non belief #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

or making any offerings, and eating with unwashed hands, and touching the dead” (146) #equiano #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

How does #Equiano’s text conform to and challenge the view of Europeans as superior “I was astonished at the wisdom of the white peoples in all things I saw; but was amazed at their not sacrificing,” … #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

How does #Equiano’s text conform to and challenge the view of Europeans as superior “I was astonished at the wisdom of the white peoples in all things I saw; but was amazed at their not sacrificing,” …

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@KateLeClaire1 #equiano definitely had a lot more personal experience in slavery, however, this beautiful and vulnerable writing was shrouded in a cloak of colonialist influence which was unfortunately attached to his experiences by no fault of his own #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@JasSeng103 they surround every event which civilization is reliant on. #equiano explains how arts were used to celebrate returning from battles and weddings. i can’t think of how dull an event would be if it were completely devoid of art #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@JasSeng103 I also noticed he quotes from other white colonialist authors throughout the text. I wonder if this was intentionally done to fit the mold of other published writings or if #equiano was unconscious of an internalized colonialist mindset in him #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

pg. 124. how does #Equiano’s description of native religions differ from Christianity. I also love how this refutes Cowpers poem which suggested Africans had no religion before coming to the Americas. #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

“As to religion, the natives believe that there is one Creatir if all things, and that he lives in the sun, and is gutted round with a belt that he may never eat or drink m; but, according to some, he smokes a pipe, which is our own favorite luxury” #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

was #milton s implication with paradise lost to take down or reinforce universal hierarchy. he describes these hierarchies in heaven and he’ll quite a bit so i wonder if it was his intention to relate this to human kind as well #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

#milton describes the rebel angels as “cherubs” multiple times in book 1. Why this descriptor instead of angels or something less sweet and infantile? does he have sympathy for them? #milton #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@ogrady_ashlyn #milton also brings up the names of titans in book 1 pg. 1019. writers draw on older texts for inspiration and given that the bible and grecoroman content were some of the more prolific ones at the time i wonder how much milton drew on these? #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@JasSeng103 i think this would be a good question to look at in terms of miltons context. he lowkey reminds me of dickens in the way he criticizes the brutality of society #103smc #milton

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

@apupiloffreire i think he means in terms of the space we (as mortal humans) can see when he refers to “mortal men” also the idea of distance and space raises concepts of dimensionality idk if they were talking about it then but it’s definitely a cool topic #103smc #milton

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

I wonder how many world leaders have agreed with the concept that “To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell” (line 262). #milton #103smc

[Izzy Kowell @izzy_kowell]

#milton describes Satan as having “eyes that sparkling blazed” with other parts that are “long and large” (line 192-195) makes me wonder if he had some sympathy for Satan as he is a character in this piece #103smc