Jefferson’s Declaration and Equiano’s Narrative

aken in the context of Jefferson’s Declaration, Equiano’s Narrative can be quite revealing about the ways in which freedom was not extended to African slaves during the Enlightenment.  Despite his negative experiences, though, Equiano seems to hold on to the prospect of being able to advance himself out of slavery.

What does this attitude show us about Equiano’s belief in predestination: does he believe in it?  Why or why not?  How does this make him, as an Enlightenment writer, different from those who wrote before him?

By what means does he find opportunities for individual advancement?  What are the decisions that he makes and the opportunities that he takes in order to “better himself?”  By “bettering himself,” who does he make himself more like?  How does he hold onto his native culture, and how does he abandon it?

To apply these concepts to our own modern society, in what ways do we, as individuals/Americans, now attempt to improve our place in society?  Is it really possible for you to change it?  Why or why not?