-American Captivity Narratives

The captivity narrative genre performs specific, unique functions in American literature that are explored in this selection of excerpts from the writings of former captives. The gender of the captive was one factor that influenced the role played by a captivity narrative. Narratives by female writers tended to reinforce the religious beliefs of Christianity while the narratives from male captives tended to justify European colonial objectives. This volume contrasts more “traditional” captivity narratives with the narratives of former slaves like Olaudah Equiano to critique the captivity narrative genre’s role as a record of “culture crossing.”