Equiano's Miscellaneous Verses

         My initial response to reading the miscellaneous verses at the end of chapter 8 was that it was a good way for Equiano to judge the world around him and show his reader's how he perceived and judged what went on around him. Personally, I felt that Equiano really felt this way about Christianity, mainly because these verses weren't the only place throughout the book when Equiano heavily leaned upon Christianity as a lens through which he could look out upon his world. I also feel that this serves to connect with the majority of Equiano's readers, but that Equiano's primary motive for adding these verses was not primarily to appeal to his Christian audience but rather really communicate to them how important Christianity was to him. 

        There was a good point brought up during the synchronous class discussion that Equiano uses Christianity as a way to judge those around him, in addition to having it guide his own principles and actions. This really emphasizes to his Christian audience that slavery and the oppression of Blacks is very unjust and cruel from the Christian viewpoint. This really drives his argument for abolishment, and frames the lives of slaves and Blacks in his society in a way that appeals to the audience that does not view the injustices committed against slaves through a Christian viewpoint. Bringing this new perspective and using Christianity's own values 'against' (though not really against; slavery is totally, totally wrong) the Christians in favor of slavery, Equiano is able to present a very strong argument for abolishment while showing the prominent role Christianity takes in his daily life.