1. Autobiographical Narrative: Equiano adopts an autobiographical style, directly addressing his readers and recounting his personal experiences, from his childhood in Africa to his capture, enslavement, and transatlantic journey. This approach brings the reader closer to his story and creates a sense of intimacy.
2. Pathos and Emotional Appeals: Equiano's narrative is filled with emotional appeals, which evoke the readers' empathy and compassion for the enslaved Africans. He explicitly discusses the physical and emotional suffering endured by those captive on the slave ship and the inhumane conditions during the Middle Passage.
3. Sensory Details: Equiano employs vivid sensory details to paint a visceral picture of the horrors of the Middle Passage. He describes the sights, sounds, and smells of the overcrowded ships, the cramped conditions, the lack of food and water, and the suffocating atmosphere. These details make the narrative more real and impactful for the readers.
4. Figurative Language: Equiano uses figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, to create vivid imagery and deepen the emotional impact of his narrative. For instance, he compares the slave ship to "a loathsome dungeon" and describes the suffering of enslaved Africans as "a living death."
5. Rhetorical Questions and Addresses: Equiano addresses the readers directly, both in the narrative and through rhetorical questions. This engages the readers and challenges them to confront the atrocities of the Middle Passage. He poses questions that prompt readers to reflect on the morality and humanity of the transatlantic slave trade.
6. Symbolism: Equiano uses symbols to convey the hardships faced by enslaved Africans. The ship itself becomes a symbol of the violent and dehumanizing process of enslavement and transportation. The Atlantic Ocean is depicted as a treacherous barrier between Africa and freedom for the enslaved.
7. Historical Context: Equiano occasionally includes historical context and relevant information about the transatlantic slave trade, such as the names of slave ships and the estimated number of enslaved people on board. This provides readers with a broader understanding of the Middle Passage and its magnitude.
8. Pacing and Structure: Equiano varies the pace of his narrative between moments of intense and horrific events and periods of reflection and observations. This structure helps build dramatic tension and allows readers to grasp the full scope and cruelty of the Middle Passage while also offering moments of respite.
By skillfully employing these writing techniques, Olaudah Equiano crafted a compelling and emotionally charged narrative in "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African". His work not only serves as a historical document but also as a powerful literary text that raises awareness about the horrors of the Middle Passage and the dehumanization faced by enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.