Who Was Olaudah Equiano

"I believe there are few events in my life which have not happened to many; it is true the incidents of it are numerous, and, did I consider myself an European, I might say my sufferings were great; but when I compare my lot with that of most of my countrymen, I regard myself as a particular favorite of heaven, and acknowledge the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life." Olaudah Equiano lived the life as a slave like many black people of the 18th century. He was born free but soon was forced into slavery which took him all around the world. From his accounts he has written down, he shows his life as a slave. Equiano had been bought and sold throughout the Americas and Europe; he showed the

If it were not for the stories past down from generation to generation or the documentations in historical books, the history of the twelve million African slaves that traveled the “Middle Passage” in miserable conditions would not exist. Olaudah Equiano contributes to this horrid history with The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Through this narrative, the appalling personal experience of each slave is depicted. He accomplishes his rhetorical purpose of informing the world of the slave experience in this narrative. His use of unique style and rhetorical devices in this conveying narrative portray his imperative rhetorical purpose.

The Life of Olaudah Equiano focuses on the various scenes to which Equiano or otherwise known as Gustavus Vassa was a witness too. Equiano’s story allows for an in depth perspective of slave trade and the way it functioned. Equiano takes the reader upon his journey as an African Slave beginning with his experiences in his native village, his numerous amounts of masters, cruelties and oppressions across the globe, and all the way to his success as a freeman. Equiano strongly focuses on the fact that almost every event in his life made an impression on his mind and influenced his conduct. Hence, making sense of the importance of his status and growth despite of his roots. Equiano always remained aware of his race and culture however he was in search of a freedom that no matter whom he was told to be his identity of obtaining this as well as soon gaining control of his own life always remained the same.

 made writings of detailed descriptions of the area he went----> he saw Americas as new continents

In Olaudah Equiano narrative discusses the many obstacles, struggles which he has to overcome for his path to freedom. Equiano had many difficult problems in his life which many people have taken a special role in. I will discuss about the countless people that had both positive and negative impact in Equiano’s life. Equiano’s life was not an easy one, I will argue despite the many obstacles that came across his life he always remained strong which is why he was able to gain his freedom. I will discuss the major transitions that were made in in his. The unexpected journeys that came in his life and changed it entirely.

Soon after being captured, the siblings were separated, with Equiano spending months serving a black tribal chief who treatment toward him was moderate. However, he was again sold to that of the British slave traders who treatment toward him was more brutal. After he had being sold and traded so many times, to different masters, a plantation owner from Virginia, United States bought him. When he taught that his life was improving or getting better, he was sold to a British Royal Navy officer (captain and lieutenant), who then give him the name Gustavus Vassa. Equiano who works for his new master in different positions (personal servant, ship steward, etc.), travel with him to several countries and colonies in and around the Mediterranean

In the spring of 1892, the Salem Witch Trials began which would go down as one of the most infamous events in history. (Salem Witch Trials) It began with the youth of salem, such as Abigail Williams languishing for things that they could not have. With this, they were claiming that they were being possessed by the devil. ( Salem Witch Trials) These deceptions by these children led the town into something called “Hysteria”. (Salem Witch Trials) Shortly after, the first accusation of witchcraft on a slave that went by the name of

From the Woman in the odyssey we can tell that Ancient Greeks valued many qualities: hospitality, love, faithfulness, strength, bravery and humility. Women were mainly judged by their looks. They didn't have as much respect as men. They were only paid attention to if they were goddesses, like athena; if they had kingdoms; or their husband or children were someone important as in the case of Penelope, Odysseus’ wife.

Olaudah was born in 1745 in Nigeria. At age 11 he and his family were captured by native slave-holders. Then they were sold to European slave traders, packed into a ship, and sent across the Atlantic to Barbados. In 1757 at age 12 he was bought by a naval captain called Captain Pascal for about 40 British Pounds. Pascal was the one who gave him the name Gustavas Vassa. After being purchased by Pascal Olaudah spent most of his time on the sea, whether it was an trading ships or war vessels. Olaudah helped serve during the Seven Years War as a gunpowder carrier for Pascal’s ships, and during that time Pascal taught Olaudah about seamanship. Olaudah had earned some form of respect from Pascal during this time, so after the war Pascal sent Olaudah to serve the Guerin’s, who were some of Pascal’s relatives, when he did not need him on the ships. While he was serving at the Guerin’s they had taught him how to read, how to write, and much about arithmetic. He also converted to Christianity while he was in

History shows that both Africans and African Americans alike faced unique problems prior to and during the 1800's, particularly prior to 1865. One such problem is the issue of Diaspora and how culture and slavery has affected the choice of religion. It is the purpose of this paper to expose comparatively the extent to which individuals have been influenced by these issues. One such individual is Olaudah Equiano. By following and analyzing some of the key moments of faith in his life, this paper seeks to expose the extent to which the series of controversial dialectical incidents that happen throughout his early life, i.e., his cultural African religious traditions

Equiano Olaudah a slave from Eboe who became an important figure in the history of slavery, was kidnapped at the age of 11/12 years of age along with his sister from their hometown in the village of Essaka (Benin), a state which is now located in the southern region of Nigeria, West Africa. Born in 1745, in an isolated, but a rich kingdom called Eboe, Olaudah Equiano, commonly known as Gustavus Vassa was born. The youngest boy of seven children, he was a favorite of his mother. His narrative has not only played an important role in the history of slavery, but has also made evident some of the harsh treatment that slaves had faced. He had not only spent more time with his mother, but she also decorated him with insignias worn by some of

It was in the eighteenth century human beings were counted as goods of exchange due to their skin color or place of birth. Innocent Western and Central Africans were kidnapped from their native land who though it was safe haven. They were hunted as wild animals and ferried by unsafe ships to a new world which they never heard of or dreamed to be. The kidnaped became slaves and hold cruelly in shackles while their female counterparts were raped and violated. One of the survivors of those victims of slavery was Olaudah Equiano. Equiano was avail to publish his autobiography in his book title, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African”. According to his autobiography and his own word, his sister

African Slave! English subject! Christian surveyor! Anti-slavery writer! If you are looking for this in a short story consider “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano.” The title of this story along, gave me knowledge that this story is not like other stories because Olaudah Equiano is the author of the story and the word “interesting” stays with his narrative all of these years so there got to be something “interesting” about this work. Also examiming the title of this work, the reader can notice that prejudices had to be overcome by black people. During the late 1700s , travel literature was very popular. Olaudiah Equiano was born in 1745 in Eboe, in what is now Nigeria. He was kidnapped and sold to slave traders heading to the West Indies. Equiano traveled extensively and was allowed to buy his own freedom in 1766. Olaudah Equiano was an autobiographer, abolitionist, and a Christian advocate. He explains his life through the middle passage and “working his way up to freedom.” Writing about his life gave a voice to the many Africans who went through the same things as Equiano. This story came out in 1789, when slavery was legal and practiced in each of the thirteen colonies. While Equiano’s life was the voice of the unheard, he also gave light behind the hidden life of slavery. In “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” Olaudah Equiano shows his writing technique by using imagery, tone, style and themes

“I now wished for the last friend, death, to relieve me; but soon, to my grief, two of the white men offered me eatables; and on my refusing to eat, one of them held me fast by the hands, and laid me across I think the windlass, and tied my feet, while the other flogged me severely." - Olaudah Equiano (Olaudah Equiano - Life On Board)

One important African player was Olaudah Equiano. Olaudah Equiano, abolitionist, political activist and writer, was, according to his own accounts, born in the kingdom of Benin in the Igbo village of Essaka, thought to be the modern Iseke in Nigeria. Kidnapped with his sister at the age of eleven by African slave traders , Equiano proceeded through a long journey that brought him into contact with a number of distinct regions and cultures and separated from his sister. In his narrative, Equiano graphically recounted his experience upon a slave ship, and the Middle Passage, and his experience being a slave with multiple names. He described working on a plantation of a man called Campbell, being bought by Captain Pascal (an officer in the Royal Navy), who christened him Gustavus Vassa, and ultimately being able to buy his freedom from Robert King (a Quaker ship owner and