This paper explains that one of the literary vehicles used by the anti-slavery movement was the narrative, written by slaves
and former slaves, who described the brutality and inhumanity involved in the institution of slavery. However, it is clear from a reading Equiano's "Interesting
Narrative" and Jacob's "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" that these perspectives differed according to a slave's gender and position. The author points out that, unlike his female counterpart, Harriet Jacobs, Equiano was in a much better position to prosecute any
advantages that came his way by virtue of being a male with skills in a day and age where such attributes were recognized and valued, even in slaves. The paper concludes that both of these slave narratives speak to the brutal hardships and dehumanization that occurred, but Equiano's is from the perspective of one who willingly participated in the "peculiar institution", while Jacob's is from the perspective of an unwilling participant. Table of Contents Introduction Review and Discussion Background and Overview Olaudah Equiano's The Interesting Narrative" Harriet Jacob's "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" Summary and Conclusion