The Role of Identity and Cultural Conflict in The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami (2014)

Expanding the Roles:
The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami reimagines the life of Estebanico, one of the first Africans to set foot in America in the 16th century. This historical fiction novel explores themes of identity, colonization, and cultural conflict, offering a perspective often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. For literature students, the novel provides an opportunity to analyze how marginalized voices in history are represented and the complexities of cultural identity in a colonized world.

• Identity in the Context of Colonization:
  Estebanico’s journey highlights the tension between his African heritage and the demands of European colonization. Students can explore how Lalami uses Estebanico’s narrative to explore the complexities of cultural identity and survival in a world that erases or marginalizes indigenous and African histories.

• The Impact of Colonialism on Personal Lives:
  The novel explores how colonization shapes not only political and economic structures but also personal identities. Students can examine how Lalami uses Estebanico’s life to reflect on the human costs of colonialism and the ways in which personal agency and survival were affected by the cultural clashes of the time.

What We Learn:
The Moor’s Account is an important work for understanding how colonization impacts both societal structures and individual lives. Literature students can learn about the complexities of cultural identity, the erasure of marginalized histories, and the intersection of race, colonialism, and personal survival.