When olaudah equiano was 11 years old, he and his sister were kidnapped while the. The life of olaudah equiano, or, gustavus vassa the african reprinted with a new introduction by paul edwards, colonial history series london. It went through nine editions in his lifetime and helped gain passage of the british slave trade act 1807, which abolished the slave trade. Also their interest is aroused by equianos fascinating descriptions of africa as a selfsufficient culture and society before the incursions of the whites. Middle passage page 3 of 7 the atlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration of people by sea in history. The life of olaudah equiano chapter ii summary and analysis. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa the african. The life of olaudah equiano quotes and analysis gradesaver. Olaudah equianos 272nd birthday born in nigeria, african writer and abolitionist olaudah equiano was sold into slavery as a boy.
In 1756 equiano and his sister were kidnapped by aro peoples. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the anglocaribbean, british west indies. Jan 11, 2007 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano olaudah equiano on. He was trained at a young age in the arts of agriculture and war. Equiano made the middle passage and arrived in barbados. Olaudah equiano 16 october 1745 31 march 1797, known in his lifetime as gustavus vassa. Equiano returned to london where he became connected with some of the. Students are moved by the graphic scenes of slavery, the middle passage experience described by equiano, and his persistent desire for freedom. Equiano claimed that he was born in africa and practiced the religion of the eboe land in which he was raised. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. It is one of the earliestknown examples of published writing by an african writer to be widely read in england. At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they. One of his masters, henry pascal, the captain of a british trading vessel, gave equiano the.
Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative. Olaudah equiano, kidnapped at age 11, became one of the most prominent english abolitionists of the 18th century. Completely revised and edited with an introduction and notes by vincent carretta an exciting and often terrifying adventure story, as well as an important precursor. Equianos autobiography is in part a reaction against this type of prejudice. What is fascinating about olaudah equianos discussion of the middle passage is that, as a man who had been enslaved in africa prior to being shipped as a slave to the americas, he was in a unique position to describe slavery in africa with his introduction to europeaninfluenced slavery in. Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. In 1788, equiano led a delegation to support william dolbergs bill on improving conditions for slave ships by limiting the number of africans ships could carry. Unlike accounts of enslaved people that begin in the western hemisphere, equiano introduces his readers to his homeland and people and focuses on the type of government established in his igbo village, as well as his communitys marriage customs, arts, and agriculture. Written by himself skip to main content this banner text can have markup.
Abolition, ethnicity, and identity in the interesting narrative. The middle passage by olaudah equiano essay 754 words. Mar 31, 2010 olaudah equiano was an african slave who bought his freedom in the american colonies years later. Olaudah equiano wrote an account of the middle passage in his 1789 autobiography. The middle passage was a harrowing experience that described the terror and hardship of the transatlantic slave trade. Olaudah equiano s most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The story was written by olaudah equiano himself at a time when slaves were being shipped across the atlantic to work for the whites.
Middle passage national museum of american history. This week in class, were reading olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage by olaudah equiano. After his initial message to the reader, equiano begins his autobiography in earnest, beginning with his birth. The life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself new york. Later, when equianos origins were questioned after his book was published, the. Children and youth in history the interesting narrative of. Olaudah equiano was a wellknown abolitionist by 1789, the year he published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. We know this information about him because he published a book. Entitled the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789, the book rapidly went through nine editions in his lifetime. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
His book the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african was one of the earliest firsthand accounts of life in africa, the horrors of the middle passage and enslavement. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. Start studying olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage. When he was about ten years old, he was kidnapped by africans known as aros and sold into slavery. Captured far from the african coast when he was a boy of 11, olaudah equiano was sold into slavery, later acquired his freedom, and, in 1789, wrote his widelyread autobiography, the interesting.
What was equiano s main purpose in writing the interesting narrative of the life of equiano. Unacquainted with the bible and with books in general, equiano thinks that the men are speaking to it, and that the book is answering. At 11 years old, equiano and his sister were kidnapped and sold into slavery. Buy a cheap copy of the interesting narrative of the life of. The struggle of olaudah equiano in the book the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, olaudah equiano the main character, was a victim to slavery and the world around him. Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage 1789 olaudah equiano 1745.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano has 94 books on goodreads with 32822 ratings. Olaudah equianos narrative museum of american history. He then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the new world. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life experience. Jul, 20 olaudah equianos narrative is about his own experience away from his dear home. Equianos greatest legacy is his classic 1789 autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Olaudah equiano s firstperson account recalls his terrifying journey as an 11yearold captive aboard a slave ship from africa to barbados in 1756. The following text is an excerpt from equianos autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, in which equiano tells the tale of his brutal voyage across the. Identify olaudah equiano and explain his connection to the. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. He endured the middle passage to barbados and was then sent to. After surviving the middle passage and landing in barbados, equiano was sold to the north american colony of virginia where, in 1754, he was purchased by lieutenant pascal, an officer in the royal navy. At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel.
In his autobiography he describes the inconceivable conditions of the. Olaudah equiano describes the middle passage, 1789 the. An enslaved man who bought his freedom and wrote compellingly about his experiences, olaudah equiano c. In his biography, he records he was born in what is now nigeria, kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Equiano, 88 in this quote, equiano reveals the depth of his spirituality, and the extent to which he attributes the circumstances of life to a deity. The second name he listed was gustavus vassa, the name he was given by his owner en route to england for the first time. But by far his most important contribution to the abolition movement was his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself, which was first published in london in 1789. Firstperson accounts of the middle passage are very rare. Also their interest is aroused by equiano s fascinating descriptions of africa as a selfsufficient culture and society before the incursions of the whites. His comparison also allows him to establish his belief in providence, or the intercession of god, in the events of his life. Equiano became an abolitionist and began to record his life story after being freed. At the end of his account of the middle passage, equiano pauses his narrative and. Read a description of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Later equiano acquired his freedom, and, in 1789, wrote his widely read autobiography. Its main objective is to publicise and celebrate the life and work of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first.
Equiano was an ibo from nigeria, the youngest son in the family and his mothers favorite. Olaudah equiano was an african slave who bought his freedom in the american colonies years later. Olaudah equiano was an african writer and abolitionist. Olaudah equiano what was his connection to the middle passage.
Might not an african ask you, learned you this from your god, who says unto you, do unto all. Dec 19, 20 the middle passage by olaudah equiano the middle passage from the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by myself is a traumatic narrative of the horrors suffered by the africans slaves of the 18th century, which has touched my heart. The book was both a best seller, going through 15 editions between 1789 and 1837, and an important document in the campaign to abolish the slave trade, at that point at its height. This narrative is a moving but an important historical document that recounts the hardship the slaves had to endure and survive in their nightmare to the so called new world. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first published in 1789 in london, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. The society also celebrates and publicises the achievements of equianos contemporaries. This is a major theme in equiano s understanding of the world and his place in it. From the african slave trade and the middle passage. A dichotomous identity in the narrative of olaudah equiano. Equiano eventually purchased his freedom and lived in london where he advocated for abolition. They were separated, and equiano was sold to various masters in africa. An analysis of olaudah equiano s the middle passage 1019 words 4 pages middle passage by olaudah equiano one of the most interesting arguments that modern apologists makes for the practice of racebased slavery in the americas is the fact that slavery existed in africa during that time period and that africans were complicit in the trans. Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano olaudah equiano on. Equiano knew that one of the most powerful arguments against slavery was his own life story. When distilled, however, the book was a searing condemnation of slavery and the british empires part in the slave trade. Jan 01, 2009 but by far his most important contribution to the abolition movement was his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself, which was first published in london in 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano wikipedia. He suggests that he has been selected by god to spread the message he will relate in his book. The text in question was the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Ignatius sancho, phillis wheatley, ottobah cugoano, and others who made outstanding contributions to african literary and cultural heritage.
Children and youth in history children in the slave trade. Equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789 as a twovolume work. Here equiano recounts the middle passage, the trip that slaves made from africa to the western hemisphere. In this autobiography, the author, olaudah equiano, detailed his life journey from. A key document of the early movement to ban the slave trade, it includes the earliest known firsthand description by a slave of the horrific middle passage from africa to the americas. After becoming a free black he wrote a book about his. His frustrations with being unable to talk to books himself are symbolic of equiano s fervent desire to learn what he thinks of as the wisdom and knowledge of europeans, even though these are the. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. In 1773 he accompanied irving on a polar expedition in search of a northeast passage from europe to asia. An analysis of olaudah equianos the middle passage. Born around 1745, he was the son of an african ibo chief.
Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. Olaudah equiano what was his connection to the middle. Olaudah equiano 17451797, known by people as gustavus vassa, was a freed slave turned prominent african man in london. After that, equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano in 1789 as a twovolume work as an argument against slavery. Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage quizlet. Equiano traveled extensively and learned the mariners trade with pascal, who sent equiano to london for schooling.
He does not suggest how a boy born in carolina would. It went through one american and eight british editions during his lifetime. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself, this is a fascinating account of equiano s time spent in enslavement, and his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his success in gaining his own freedom and in business thereafter. Penned by the freedman olaudah equiano himself, the book was part travelogue and part autobiography. His autobiography, published in 1789, helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african trade for britain and its colonies. Feb 17, 2017 video excerpt of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. His narrative is extremely valuable not only for the wealth of information it presents on childrens experiences in the slave trade, but also for those examining the abolitionist movement in england during this period of time. Equiano tells us that he was the son of a chief, and that at about the age of eleven he and his sister were kidnapped while out playing, and were marched to the coast and put on board a slave ship. The slave trade from the very beginning was one of the worst components of european history. Equiano then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the new world.
Because only a native african would have experienced the middle passage, the abolitionist movement needed an african. Equiano traveled extensively and learned the mariners trade with pascal, who sent equiano. The book describes equiano s time spent in enslavement, and documents his attempts at becoming an. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life. Audio and excerpt from the smithsonian national museum of. One day, though, while equiano was home with his sister, two men and a woman snuck into their home and seized them, tying their hands and carrying them through the woods for several days they kept to the woods, and equiano hoped to be saved, but when he saw others and cried out, his and his sisters hands and mouths were bou. The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. The equiano society the society was formed in london in november 1996. The book was successful both in spreading its message and in earning equiano. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah.
Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who wrote an autobiography depicting the horrors of slavery and lobbied parliament for its abolition. For the nearly 300 years that preceded olaudah equiano s writing of his life, the international slave trade had shrunk the world like never before. Oct 24, 2007 equino was an african who became a slave, traveled on the middle passage to the americas and later bought his freedom and traveled the world. The book describes equianos time spent in enslavement, and documents his attempts at becoming an. Equiano s treasured writings, depicts his personal accounts from childhood, holding the status of an african aristocrat in benin west africa, to being kidnapped and forced into slavery in the infamous middle passage slave trade early slavery. After becoming a free black he wrote a book about his travels from africa to the united states. Excerpt from the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. Why does equiano include letters in the front of his book.
May 06, 2012 the first dichotomy equiano portrayed in his narrative was the use of his names. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano was written in 1789 during the middle passage equiano, 1790. As it was for all slaves, the middle passage for equiano was a long, arduous nightmare. Equianos accounts of africa and the middle passage have became famous. The title of his book included both names by which he was known during his life. World lit ii interesting narrative of olaudah equiano. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts. The first name listed was olaudah equiano, his african name.
Olaudah equiano was a righteous man who was stolen from his home as a child, and made into a slave. It discusses his time spent in slavery, serving primarily on galleys, documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual success in gaining his own freedom and in business thereafter. The interesting thing about this book is that equiano doesnt just survive the middle passage, but actually crosses the atlantic multiple times, traveling from south america to england to the american colonies to the caribbean to the middle east, all while trying to win his freedom. Oct 09, 2011 the true story behind uncle toms cabin, the book that rocked precivil war. The indomitable equiano himself went on a tour of britain, scotland, and ireland between 1789 and 1791 to promote his book. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano rose to prominence in the late 18th century as the leading black campaigner for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. After surviving the middle passage and landing in barbados, equiano was sold.
Olaudah equiano project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. The interesting life of olaudah equiano describes his life as. In its introduction, equiano states that the main purpose of the book is to excite in the readers august assemblies a sense of compassion of the miseries. The book began with a petition addressed to parliament and ended with his. Commonlit olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage.
Commonlit olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage free. Olaudah equiano made the middle passage, was a plantation slave in the west indies and virginia, and spent time in the british navy and on a slavetrading ship run by a quaker merchant. In his memoir, he drew connections between his traumatic life. Courtesy of the historic maps division, department of rare books and.
There is some debate that he never lived in africa and was acually born in america. Students are moved by the graphic scenes of slavery, the middle passage experience described by equiano, and his. The cruelty of men in olaudah equianos middle passage. Audio and excerpt from the smithsonian national museum of american history. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Video excerpt of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. This extract, taken from chapter two of the interesting narrative, describes some of the young equianos experiences on board a slave ship in the middle passage.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano essays are academic essays for citation. Equiano was born in what is now nigeria and sold into slavery aged 11. At the end of his account of the middle passage, equiano pauses his narrative and addresses the reader. In the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, why did slaves jump off the ship. First hand narrative written by ex slaves were encouraged by equiano was born in separated from his sister, equiano was sent to. The symbol of the bible in the life of olaudah equiano.
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