Introduction
The Age of Revolution is a historic period between 1775-1848 characterized by rapid changes and revolutions. During this period, society went through a series of changes across almost all its sectors: cultural, political, economic, social, technological, and engagement in war. New revolutionary ideas spread across the world, a matter that historians are still debating over the general impact. The revolution was characterized by different sets of beliefs that formed the foundation of the American republic (Hill 67). Among the beliefs was a conviction in the intrinsic dignity and worth of every single human being, irrespective of their racial or ethnic background. This era saw the rise of nation-states and the decline of absolute monarchy as people embraced democratic forms of administration based on written constitutions
Intellectually, the Age of Enlightenment was in full effect, and new ideas about how one should live were challenging the conventional wisdom of the day. Alongside an increase in the proportion of people who could read and write and a growing labor force came calls for stricter protections. The rise of new technologies had an impact on the Industrial Revolution, which in turn led to the beginning of a technological revolution.
Comparison and Contrast
Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative portrays how slavery can be devastating and an impediment to the success of individuals. Equiano’s life story can be summarized in three parts: physical and spiritual servitude, alteration and emancipation from slavery, and renaissance in a life of material and spiritual liberty (Smith 767). Equiano talks about his kidnapping, passage on the Middle Passage, service as a slave in the Western Hemisphere, time spent in school, conversion to Christianity, and subsequent naval adventures. His life was filled with different experiences and accomplishments that nurtured him to become what he desired. He describes life in Africa before the white settlers arrived in the region as fascinating and peaceful. His description of explicit scenes of slavery makes him eager, passionate, and hopeful for freedom at the end of the tunnel.
French activist, playwright, and feminist Olympe de Gouges responded to the directive that declared the rights of men and citizenship through a written declaration of women’s rights. Olympe de Gouges wrote plays and pamphlets about many different subjects, including slavery, which she condemned as being motivated by greed and stupidity (Green 14). She condemns the sheriffs for excluding women from their brochure and responds by outlining women’s rights that are equal to those of men. Gouges argues that women should have full citizenship rights because they are socially equal to men. Gouges furthermore emphasized in the booklet’s introduction the need for women’s representation in the French National Assembly. It proclaimed the equality of sex by establishing that women had the same basic rights as men.
Olaudah Equiano’s The Interesting Narrative and Olympe De Gouges’ The Rights of Woman both have similarities in different aspects. First, there is an element of liberation in both aspects where they strive to achieve freedom just like others. Equiano’s narrative depicts scenes of slavery and how it has impacted him and his experience in the middle passage and makes an effort to fight for his freedom. His life story becomes filled with great achievements and amazing adventures, making the former slave resourceful and well-educated (Green 14) Olympe De Gouges’ The Rights of Woman depicts the same search for freedom where she fights for the same treatment for women as that of their male counterparts. Her manifesto urges that women and men are equal in society and therefore entitled to the same rights to citizenship.
Both Olaudah Equiano and Olympe De Gouges express a search for identity through their work. Olaudah Equiano speaks about becoming a man, learning to read and write, and being set free from physical and mental confinement. After being a victim of enslavement through kidnap and abduction for sale to slavery, Equiano speaks on becoming a man, learning to read and write, and being set free from physical and mental confinement (Smith 769).
Gouges lists seventeen rights that all women should have, such as freedom of movement, ownership of property, safety from physical harm, and protection from persecution. She also urges for a guarantee of the individual’s right to vote as well as the individual’s freedom to openly express their political ideas. She urges for the legal right to name the father of her children and to make property distribution decisions
In contrast, Olaudah Equiano’s work on The Interesting Narrative and Olympe De Gouges’ work on The Rights of Woman have some common differences. Olympe De Gouges’ work proposes forming a national assembly comprised of mothers, daughters, sisters, and other female delegates from all throughout the country. She feels that dismissing or ignoring women’s rights is the only reason for public calamities and governmental corruption. She has decided to list the natural, inalienable, and sacred rights of women in a solemn statement (Green 15) In her fight, she provides a social contract that binds the man and the woman together. According to the terms of that pact, if a man and a woman have children together, the assets of the partnership belong equally to both of them and can be divided equally among their offspring.
Olaudah Equiano’s work is surrounded by three pillars that he builds: physical and spiritual enslavement, escape and conversion from slavery, and a new beginning in material and spiritual freedom. Until he is granted bodily freedom, Equiano will not be able to develop his character along personal, religious, and humanitarian routes (Smith 768). Due to the crucial role, his manumission document plays in his story, he begins with him rejoicing in his freedom and ends with it. Equiano assumes a self-assured, lively, and campaigning tone and attitude as he explains his absorption in the reputable parts of Western society and attacks the West’s brutal policies of captivity.
Conclusion
The years between 1775 and 1848 are referred to as the Age of Revolution because of the tumultuous and rapid pace of change that occurred during this time. Political, social, technological, economic, and military systems all experienced disruptions at the same moment. Historians continue to disagree on the global significance of the global spread of new revolutionary ideas. The revolution had a different set of principles that became the foundation of the American republic. The fight erupted as tensions between the colonists and their government, and an outpost of the British monarch grew. One of the beliefs was that people of all backgrounds and colors should be treated with respect and decency. This period was characterized by a declaration of the rights of men and citizenship, which was greatly opposed in writing by French activist Olympe de Gouges through her rights of women and female citizenship declaration.
Works Cited
Green, Grace A. “Olympe de Gouges: A Woman too Revolutionary for Revolution.” Tenor of Our Times, vol. 9, no. 1, 2020, pp. 14-16.
Hill, Peter. “How global was the age of revolutions? The case of Mount Lebanon, 1821.” Journal of Global History, vol. 16 no.1, 2021, pp. 65-84.
Smith, Cassander L. “The Interesting Narrative by Olaudah Equiano ed. by Brycchan Carey.” Eighteenth-Century Fiction, vol. 31, no. 4, 2019, pp. 767-768.