Abstract This paper analyzes a single passage from the slave narrative of OlaudahEquiano, entitled 'The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano', or 'Gustavus Vassa, the African'. In this paper, the author chose a passage from the text that highlighted the significant and intriguing economic argument that Equiano made against slavery and the slave trade in this autobiographical narrative.
From the Paper "I have sometimes heard it asserted that a negro cannot earn his master the first cost; but nothing can be further from the truth. I suppose nine tenths of the mechanics throughout the West Indies are negro slaves; and I well know the coopers among them earn two dollars a day; the carpenters the same, and oftentimes more; as also the masons, smiths, and fishermen, &c. and I have known many slaves whose masters would not take a thousand pounds current for them. But surely this assertion refutes itself; for, if it be true, why do the planters and merchants pay such a price for slaves? And, above all, why do those who make this assertion exclaim the most loudly against the abolition of the slave trade? So much are men blinded, and to such inconsistent arguments are they driven by mistaken interest!"
A review of OlaudahEquiano's 18th-century slave autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African".
796 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 28.95
Abstract This paper discusses "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African", by OlaudahEquiano, a freed man, who seeks to convey the horrors of slavery and the pain he experienced, while not offending his white readers so much that his story is never heard. The writer shows that OlaudahEquiano, although there is subdued resentment and seemingly subtle instances of contempt of his captors in his narrative, more often writes with respect and humility, showing that he still has his sense of obedience to them (and perhaps feelings of obligation to them for setting him free, but even more obligation to his own people to make sure their story is heard).
From the Paper "Since we know Equiano writes from the perspective of a freed man, we can understand why he views and describe some of his experiences with disdain and bitterness. However, even though he shows his frustration with the whites, he does so eloquently (rather than in a bashing and more brutal way), so as not to offend the white reader. In Chapter II, Equiano, when describing his fear of being killed on board the slave ship, refers to the Whites as "bad spirits," referring to "their long hair, and the language they spoke (755)." In such great fear, it is somewhat odd that Equiano refers to them merely as "bad spirits," and talks only of their physical attributes."
Tags: dehumanization trespass flogging anger, bad spirit, savage
Abstract This paper discusses and reviews the autobiography entitled, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African,". It describes the storyline and the plot of the book and the discusses the writer's personal reactions to it. The paper then looks at how effective Equiano's narrative was as a from of propaganda to develop opposition to slavery.
Table of Contents:
The Book's Message about the Institution of Slavery and the Slave Trade
Surprising Aspects of Equiano's Account
Effectiveness of Equiano's Narrative as a Form of Propaganda Meant to Develop Opposition to Slavery
Editing Equiano's Account
From the Paper "More than anything else, the book would have forced those far removed from the procurement of their slaves on a distant continent to face the ugly realities that paid for their source of labor. In the most developed and so-called civilized nations of the Western part of the world, treatment of slaves, while still atrocious by any moral standard, would likely have been much better, on the whole, than on the African continent."
"In retrospect, it is nothing less than astonishing that post-Enlightenment/post-Industrial Revolution men of education and societal distinction would ever have tolerated, much less partaken in the enslavement and life-long exploitation of fellow human beings. The justification most often suggested is that it is difficult, if not entirely unfair altogether, to judge social conventions of earlier times by modern ethical and humanitarian standards."
Abstract This paper discusses the life of OlaudahEquiano, through his autobiography, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano". The paper outlines Equiano's life as a slave, illustrating how during his lifetime, he was bought and sold like a commodity. The atrocities, cruelties and hardships of slavery are portrayed as they were witnessed by Equiano. The paper points out that Equiano tells his story with an unbiased, fair and accurate historical tone.
From the Paper "Equiano was born in 1745 in an Ibo village in Nigeria. In 1756 he was kidnapped by British slave traders and taken to the West Indies. He eventually ended up on a Virginia Plantation. Equiano lived through the Seven Year's War, which was one of the most important naval battles in history. During this battle, he was owned by a British man, Lt. Michael Henry Pascal, who had bought him as a gift for his cousin in London. Equiano fought for the British during the seven-year war against France. Even though he had earned his freedom by fighting in the war, Pascal would not allow Equiano his freedom. Instead he took away all of Equiano's books and sold him to the captain of a slave ship in 1763. He was then sold to Robert King, a Quaker who eventually sold him his freedom for forty pounds."
Abstract This paper discusses two books--"Things Fall Apart", by Chinua Achebe and "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano" by OlaudahEquiano. Each book is summarized, and a number of questions on each one is answered, followed by responses indicating which book the student found more impacting and why.
Tags: Things Fall Apart, OlaudahEquiano, slavery, African
Abstract This paper is on slavery in the 18th century as illustrated in the autobiography of the slave, OlaudahEquiano. It explains how this was the first autobiography by a slave and was first published in 1789. The book tells us about the country he was captured from and also about the horrors and cruelties he had to bear because of his enslavement in the West Indies.
From the Paper "From his famous autobiography, written in 1789,we learn that Olaudah Equiano was born in 1745 in Nigeria. He was kidnapped and sold into slavery when he was only eleven years old. He was bought by a captain in the Royal Navy, and later sold to a Quaker merchant. It was through his second master he learnt about trading and saving that eventually led to his emancipation. As a seaman, he traveled around the world, from the Mediterranean all the way to the North Pole. It was after moving to London, that he became so closely involved in the movement to end the slave trade, and also motivated him to write and publish The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa the African. The book was an instant bestseller proved to be highly persuasive in ending slavery. This book was written nearly thirty years after he was emancipated from slavery."
This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the books "Jane Eyre," by Charlotte Bronte and "OlaudahEquiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano" by OlaudahEquiano.
Abstract The writer of this paper compares and contrasts the characters of Jane and Olaudah. Jane and Olaudah are two very diverse characters, whose lives seem quite different at first, but who really have quite a bit in common. It explains how one is fictional, and one actually lived, but both characters arouse the reader's sympathy, and graphically portray the inhumanities they faced throughout their lives. Both rise above their social stations, and both live happy lives in the end. It shows how ultimately, these two characters have far more in common than they differ, and their lives are certainly impressive to those who read their stories.
From the Paper "At first glance, these two characters could not be more diverse. Jane Eyre is a fictional character in a romantic novel, and Olaudah Equiano is a real man, born in Africa and kidnapped into slavery at a young age. However, Jane's character faces oppression and prejudice just as Equiano faced it, and both characters work to end inequality and social injustice."
Abstract This paper will cover the books by Olauday Equiano and his work "The Life of OlaudahEquiano" and "Clotel (The President's Daughter)" by William Wells Brown and seek their meaning in the era they were written. By analyzing the many factors that went into making the books, as well the black slavery issues that they reflected, we get a clear understanding of their meanings. Some of the writing styles will analyzed too, but the main focus will be the meanings behind the books in the times they were written.
Abstract This paper compares the stereotypes of indigenous people using Caliban in "The Tempest," then contrasts it with a real life narrative from OlaudahEquiano's "The Life of Gustavas Vassa, the African."
From the Paper "In Shakespeare's "The Tempest", Caliban is reflected as an abhorred slave (19), who is tricky, savage-like and has monstrous mannerisms. Caliban is an indigenous portrait that is supported by that time periods stereotypes of non-European persons. Caliban is also shown as uneducated, foul-mouthed, and barbaric; both in nature and physical appearance. Sixteenth-century Europeans believed that natives of another land were composed of these things and more. This including that these people were wild men and beast-like. Olaudah Equiano's The Life of Gustavas Vassa, the African, paints a very different picture from that of the stereotypes mentioned. Olaudah is educated, well versed, and has pleasant mannerisms. He is also an honest slave, whose intelligence and patience buys him the freedom from his bound life."
This paper discusses the concept of "Race" and "Religion" in American society and in the abolitionist literature "Interesting Narrative" by OlaudahEquiano.
Abstract The author states that in American society there is a backbone of religious intolerance; but, for the most part, the races have been forced to live and work together, thus racial inequality on the surface has been transcended. The author continues that in Equiano's "Interesting Narrative" the concepts of race and religion intertwine, and the violence in the text is often caused by differences in race and religion narrative. The paper concludes with the comparison of Equiano's concept of race and religion to that of the authors Cahan ( "The Rise of David Levinsky"), Forster ( "A Passage to India" ) , Roth ("Call it Sleep") and Sachs ("Black Hamlet").
From the Paper "Equiano mentions his sadness at leaving his schoolteacher first, before his experiences with religion and God. Indeed, the Miss Guerins were recognized first for teaching him to read, and then for imparting the ?knowledge of God.? Equiano also recognizes his social acclimations ? how to conduct himself ? and above all, the valuable presents he receives. Indeed, even in the face of religion, Equiano remains entirely a secular narrative force. Religion can only rank as a backdrop or a background theme and the forefront is secular life experience."
Abstract This paper addresses the work from a perspective that takes its plot into minimal account, while focusing on the themes of the work, such as the fluidity and flux of identity. The writer also points out its overweening concepts, such as the explicit dangers of oppression and slavery within a framework of basic and empathetic humanity, which are put up against the strictures and rituals of this oppression in the work. It shows how Equiano's narrative forces the reader to confront its protagonist as a human being. This, in turn, establishes a bridge of empathy connecting the reader and the narrator so that the two can share a sense of oppression and outrage at the subhuman conditions of slavery under which the narrator is forced to live.
From the Paper "When reviewing a text, it is interesting to take a perspective of the thematic and conceptual relevancy of the text rather than simply reissuing another version of the plot and drawing no conclusions from the often implicit nature of its conceptual and thematic framework. Looking at a text in this way allows the reader to construct his/her own meaning in a more active relationship with the text than simple summarizing would allow. In the case of Olaudah Equiano's slave-narrative autobiography of his life, the thematic and conceptual matters of the book are intrinsically linked to its revelatory plotline, however, and the reader must link the two to achieve a full understanding of the
work and its relevancy."
Abstract This paper gives a complete biography of Equiano and his journey to slavery. The paper explains in great detail who he was captured, the methods used, his shipment to the West, the manner in which he was bought, sold and abused. This bio then relates to the Middle Passage and why it is an important account in studying comparative slavery.
From the Paper "Olaudah Equiano was born in 1745 in the village of Essaka, which today is known as Isseke, Nigeria. He lived in this farming village until 1756 when he was kidnapped by the Aro people who sold him to various masters within Africa. Equiano was slowly moved through Africa until he reached its? coast later that year to board a slave ship headed to the Americas. Upon boarding the American slave ship, Equiano first experiences the cruelty of the slave world while traveling the Middle Passage. Equiano recalls that slavery was a part of the Ibo world. However, unlike the European exploitation of Africans, African slaves were acquired as prisoners or perpetrators of heinous crimes. Equiano's enslavement did not follow these unwritten rules. He nevertheless recalls his African masters as like second families to him. Many spoke the same language and had similar customs. As he was passed from master to master, gradually differences in language and culture began to impress upon him."
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes the slave narrative, "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African" by OlaudahEquiano. The paper explains that Equiano's narrative was special because of the language Equiano employs, the descriptions of his experiences as a slave that it includes and the message it conveys about examining our own lives and what we are meant to accomplish with our lives.
From the Paper "Author Equiano's experiences were varied and unusual. His goal to share them with his readers caused him to pen his narrative, hoping to urge others to follow the same spiritual path he chose. As a young boy, he served on board an English fighting ship for his master. He fought in the French & Indian War alongside this man. He viewed slaves mistreated in the West Indies, and was cheated out of the freedom he worked for by a dishonest owner. With experience and his wits, he developed into a businessperson, traveled the world including the North Pole, helped resettle slaves to their native Africa, toured and spoke out loudly against slavery, and wrote a narrative describing his many experiences that brought the horrors of slavery home to many. In the end, publishers (including himself) published twenty-two editions of his book, and it remained popular literary material even after his death in 1797. All of these experiences added to the treasure trove of experience that created a compelling and admired narrative."
Abstract This paper uses first hand accounts to explore the treatment of slaves in America. It reviews the autobiographical book "The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Gustavius Vassa", by OlaudahEquiano by giving a synopsis of Equiano's story. It begins with his kidnapping and journey on a slave ship and explores some of the harsh treatments of and difficult experiences for the slaves. The paper then turns to look at the Spaniards? treatment of the Indian slaves in the West Indies, with reference to the historical work "Apologetic History of the Indies", by Bartolome de las Casas.
From the Paper "Olaudah Equiano, in The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Gustavius Vassa, describes this about himself and the other atrocities, after being kidnapped that fateful day, which had happened to him and other slaves. Not long after he and his sister were kidnapped, he was separated from his sister and forced to endure life as a slave alone. Gustavius Vassa and Olaudah Equiano were one in the same person. Gustavius Vassa was a slave name given to him by one of his owners. Individuality was not an option that a slave had and the names of the blacks were not important to the white world. Slaves had to live with the names that they were given. However, this is not the worst that they had to endure according to Equiano."
Abstract This is a comparative paper representing slavery in the narratives of the texts, which are "OlaudahEquiano", "the History of Mary Prince" and "James Williams". The paper provides written testimony about slavery from slaves as they experienced it and from former slaves as they remember it. It also discusses how these texts represent their stories in terms of gender and geographical perspectives.
