Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the Middle Passage was the barbarous and inhumane journey where slaves were transported from West-Africa to the Americas as 'black cattle'. It looks at how it was the beginning of the disintegration of African society, how Africans from all different cultures were literally thrown and shackled together on a ship and how by doing so, the slavers stripped the slaves of their sense of self and individuality.

From the Paper:

"'Equiano's Travels' is the self-portrayal of an African slave. In 'Equiano's Travels' we are introduced to Equiano as a happy 11-year old who lives the carefree life every child should live. To me it seems of consequence that we meet Equiano happy-go-lucky, as it enables me to identify with him. He once upon a time was a well-fed, happy child who played with siblings and friends, and had a caring family. But then Equiano is kidnapped and sold to slavers. Gradually his whole life disintegrates: he gets separated from his sister, he moves from slaver to slaver. The open fields from the beginning of the narrative are now replaced by dark woods, in which he may get lost. Each time he finds some happiness, it results in misery far worse than before. At most times Equiano is overwhelmed by 'anguish' [page 175], 'horror' [page 175], 'fear' [page 174]. Throughout his journey, Equiano dreams of escaping and finding freedom. But as the narrative moves on he gets to realise that there is no freedom for him."

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