It is a compelling and wellwritten source which describes the middle passage the terrible journey from africa to the west indies. Olaudah equiano wrote an account of the middle passage in his 1789 autobiography. 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. Courtesy of the historic maps division, department of rare books and. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano essays are academic essays for citation.
For the nearly 300 years that preceded olaudah equianos writing of his life, the international slave trade had shrunk the world like never before. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Abolition, ethnicity, and identity in the interesting narrative. Quotes from olaudah equianos the life of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts the.
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. He then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the. Olaudah equiano describes the middle passage, 1789. Firstperson accounts of the middle passage are very rare. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, by olaudah equiano this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. In his autobiography he describes the inconceivable conditions of the. Learn the important quotes in the life of olaudah equiano and the chapters theyre from, including why theyre important and what they mean in the context of the book. In short, reading this book challenges a reader to weigh historical evidence and to address the problematic nature of any autobiography, including the extent to which we can rely on a writers memories and selfrepresentation. 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. Equiano passage is between west africa and the caribbean island of barbados, at that time a common voyage as the british plantation island was among the most easterly of the caribbean islands. Read a description of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. 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. Olaudah equiano 17451797 was eleven years old when he and his sister were kidnapped from their home in west africa and.
Equiano s autobiography is in part a reaction against this type of prejudice. 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. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa the african. 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, before buying his freedom in 1766. Video excerpt of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Equiano describes it as the happiest day of his life. Equianos autobiography is in part a reaction against this type of prejudice. Equiano then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the new world.
Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends. In this harrowing description of the middle passage, olaudah equiano described the terror of the transatlantic slave trade. Olaudah equiano 16 october 1745 31 march 1797, known in his lifetime as gustavus vassa. In his biography, he records he was born in what is now nigeria, kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child. We will never know whether equiano came from africa or not, but his account about the middle passage is by far the more touching. Ignatius sancho, phillis wheatley, ottobah cugoano, and others who made outstanding contributions to african literary and cultural heritage. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. In 1789, a middleaged africanborn man in london published the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, laying the foundations for new genres of literature and new ways of understanding the experiences of enslaved people. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, an estimated 20 million africans crossed the atlantic to the americas in the transatlantic slave trade.
Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage quizlet. Its main objective is to publicise and celebrate the life and work of olaudah equiano. The life of olaudah equiano quotes and analysis gradesaver. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts.
The book is bestknown for its description of the inhumane middle passage to america, which. According to his own account, equiano was kidnapped at age 11 and taken to the west indies. Olaudah equiano 17451797, known by people as gustavus vassa, was a freed slave turned prominent african man in london. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Equiano refers to his treatment by european slave traders in the middle passage as a new refinement in cruelty and paints a picture of a harrowing journey on board a slave ship. Equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789 as a twovolume work.
What was equiano s main purpose in writing the interesting narrative of the life of equiano. Until recently, slave studies rarely discussed childrens experiences, but it has been estimated that one quarter of the slaves who crossed the atlantic were children. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. First published in 1772, the volume recounts equiano s kidnapping in africa at the age of 10 or 11, and how he was subsequently. However, i kept asking myself why reading this autobiography felt more like reading gullivers travels than a former slaves account of his life. Mar 27, 2020 olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. Excerpt from the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african summary supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of. His descriptions of extreme hardships and desperate conditions are punctuated by his astonishment at new sights and experiences.
Middle passage national museum of american history. Equiano s accounts of africa and the middle passage have became famous. The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. Equiano is believed to have died in 1797 at the age of 52. Now a free man, equiano returned to london where he made significant contributions to the abolitionist movement, and published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, which influenced the slave trade act of 1807. 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. The society also celebrates and publicises the achievements of equianos contemporaries. Equiano s travels brought him to turkey, martinico, georgia, montserrat.
Children and youth in history children in the slave trade. First hand narrative written by ex slaves were encouraged by equiano was born in separated from his sister, equiano was sent to. A teaching guide from the antislavery literature project, with a crosscultural study guide coauthored by shi penglu. Children and youth in history the interesting narrative of. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Commonlit olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage. 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. As it was for all slaves, the middle passage for equiano was a long, arduous nightmare. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. The book describes equiano s time spent in enslavement, and documents his attempts at becoming an.
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. Students are moved by the graphic scenes of slavery, the middle passage experience described by equiano, and. Olaudah equianos narrative museum of american history. Equiano is sold to the owner of a slave ship bound for the west indies, and he goes on to describe the middle passagethe journey across the atlantic ocean that brought enslaved africans to north america. Olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. He braved the harsh conditions of the middle passage to the. Olaudah equiano, kidnapped at age 11, became one of the most prominent english abolitionists of the 18th century. Olaudah equiano describes the middle passage, 1789 the. This extract, taken from chapter two of the interesting narrative, describes some of the young equiano s experiences on board a slave ship in the middle passage. Children and youth in history the interesting narrative. 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 transatlantic slave trade. In the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, why did slaves jump off the ship. This is an extract from the autobiography of olaudah equiano describing his capture in nigeria as a young boy of about eleven and the subsequent journey to the caribbean on a slave ship. 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.
Equiano passage is between west africa and the caribbean island of barbados, at that time a common voyage as the british plantation island was among the most easterly. The title says the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano and it certainly was interesting. As he was firmly indebted to the kindness of farmer and king, he continued to sail with them, but now as a paid steward and sailor. 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. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Pdf teaching guide to the interesting narrative of the. 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. Equiano made the middle passage, the phrase used to describe the horrible trip slave ships made between africa and the new world. Equiano became an abolitionist and began to record his life story after being freed. Equiano finally raised enough money to purchase his manumission in july of 1766.
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. After a short period of time in barbados, equiano was shipped to virginia and put to work weeding grass and gathering stones. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Start studying olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage. An analysis of olaudah equianos the middle passage. Also their interest is aroused by equiano s fascinating descriptions of africa as a selfsufficient culture and society before the incursions of the whites. 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. Professor vincent carretta, of the university of maryland, has written what is clearly the definitive biography of olaudah equiano, hitherto supposed to have been born in 1745 in what is now nigeria and transported, as a slave and via the middle passage, to the west indies, along with his subsequent adventures in the americas, europe and the middle east until he was eventually regarded as a. The society also celebrates and publicises the achievements of equiano s contemporaries. Olaudah equiano composed the firstever slave autobiography as a freed slave living in england. Olaudah equiano, 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.
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. Equiano, 58 equianos writing on the middle passage is the section of the work most likely to end up in anthologies for history and literature classes. Excerpt from the interesting narrative of the life of. The best study guide to the life of olaudah equiano on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. Middle passage page 3 of 7 the atlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration of people by sea in history. In this harrowing description of the middle passage, olaudah. It went through one american and eight british editions during his lifetime. Olaudah equiano rose to prominence in the late 18th century as the leading black campaigner for the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Audio and excerpt from the smithsonian national museum of. Olaudah equiano, an african captured as a boy who later wrote an autobiography, recalled. Olaudah equiano s firstperson account recalls his terrifying journey as an 11yearold captive aboard a slave ship from africa to barbados in 1756. The book was an important tool in the abolition campaign and remains relevant today as a fascinating historical document and an.
The following text is an excerpt from equiano s autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, in which equiano tells the tale of his brutal voyage across the. Equiano s greatest legacy is his classic 1789 autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. 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. Olaudah equianos 272nd birthday born in nigeria, african writer and abolitionist olaudah equiano was sold into slavery as a boy. Equiano traveled extensively and learned the mariners trade with pascal, who sent equiano to london for schooling. Oct 24, 2005 equiano s greatest legacy is his classic 1789 autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. One of the very first slave narratives, the interesting narrative of olaudah equiano 17451797, served as a prototype for the wellknown slave autobiographies of the 19th century written by such fugitive slaves as frederick douglass and harriet jacobs. The middle passage by olaudah equiano essay 754 words. When i looked round the ship too and saw a large furnace of copper. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. 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. He then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the new world. It is a compelling and wellwritten source which describes the middle passage the terrible journey from africa to. He was born into an igbo community that he called essaka, or most probably isieke, in what is now the ihiala local government area of the anambra state of nigeria.
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. Olaudah equiano wrote the interesting narrative at a time when many. Jan 01, 2009 one of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa. The abolition project olaudah equiano middle passage extract 1. Olaudah equiano describes the horrors of the middle passage, 1780s. Written by himself when we have had some of these slaves on board my masters vessels to carry them to other islands, or to america, i have known our mates to commit these acts most shamefully, to the disgrace, not of christians only, but of men. Commonlit olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage free. When he was about ten years old, he was kidnapped by africans known as aros and sold into slavery. Equianos accounts of africa and the middle passage have became famous.
531 288 897 1005 224 635 1018 392 892 794 1223 531 36 105 1052 847 1066 689 356 643 713 1356 6 151 194 36 957 39 1272 1326 6