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 passage is between west africa and the caribbean island of barbados, at that time a common voyage as the british plantation island. Excerpt from the interesting narrative of the life of. He then endured the middle passage on a slave ship bound for the new world. Nevertheless, his book was a very important part of the campaign to abolish slavery in. 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 first autobiography ever written by a former slave, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is one of the most wellrecognized slavenarratives. His most recent books are the authoritative equiano, the african. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. Middle passage national museum of american history.
Equiano begins his narrative by acknowledging how memoir writers often must defend themselves against claims of vanity. It went through one american and eight british editions during his lifetime. Olaudah equiano, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself london. Olaudah equiano has 82 books on goodreads with 33242 ratings. Equiano apologizes that he is neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant. This resource is part of a series called life at sea. Equianos autobiography is in part a reaction against this type of prejudice. I hanover historical texts project scanned and proofread by kathleen diekhoff, may 1998. Olaudah equiano, was a former enslaved african, seaman and merchant who. 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. It was first published in 1789 and gained notoriety as a mechanism for the abolitionist movement in. Because only a native african would have experienced the middle passage, the abolitionist movement needed an african. Book is in the public domain and read by volunteers. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer.
Olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african london, 1789. Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage 1789 olaudah equiano 1745. After surviving the middle passage and enduring slavery in the americas, britain, and on trading ships sailing the atlantic, equiano purchased his freedom in 1766. The intereresting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is also one of the first widely read slave. Equiano published his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789 as a twovolume work.
He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. Olaudah equianos firstperson account recalls his terrifying journey as an 11yearold captive aboard a slave ship from africa to barbados in 1756. In 1773 he accompanied irving on a polar expedition in search of a northeast passage from europe to asia. Start studying olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage. The life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. Equianos autobiographical account of his passage into slavery. When he was about ten years old, he was kidnapped by africans known as aros and sold into slavery. Equiano finally raised enough money to purchase his manumission in july of 1766. Courtesy of the historic maps division, department of rare books and. 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.
Biography of a self made man 2005, the life and letters of philip quaque the first african anglican missionary 2010. 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 composed the firstever slave autobiography as a freed slave living in england. 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 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. Here equiano recounts the middle passage, the trip that slaves made from africa to the western hemisphere. Subsequent to his manumission, he continued a life on the seas and, encouraged by friends in london, published the dramatic account of his life in 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself v1. Library of congress, prints and photographs division within ten years of the first north american settlements, europeans began transporting captured africans to the colonies as slaves. As is true of tom feelingss the middle passage 1995, this book needs the key of. His editions include the authoritative olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano london, 1794. Olaudah equiano describes the middle passage, 1789 the. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equian full.
Olaudah equiano wrote an account of the middle passage in his 1789 autobiography. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Olaudah equiano, kidnapped at age 11, became one of the most prominent english abolitionists of the 18th century. The book began with a petition addressed to parliament and ended with his. Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. In this harrowing description of the middle passage, olaudah equiano described the terror of the transatlantic slave trade. It is a compelling and wellwritten source which describes the middle passage the. Equianos work became an important part of the abolitionist cause. 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. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself epic audio collection is an live audio recording of performers reading the book in its original text. Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage david j. The life of olaudah equiano chapter i summary and analysis.
Olaudah equiano, enslaved african man museum of american. Children and youth in history children in the slave trade. Published in 1789, equianos autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Proofread and posted by raluca preotu, august 1999. 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. 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. Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano mp3. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. Equiano describes it as the happiest day of his life. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself by olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. This resource includes a teacher guide, student worksheet, downloadable audio, images of supporting primary sources, and discussion. Olaudah equiano 17451797, known as gustavas vassa during his lifetime, was a freed african slave who became an author, and abolitionist, best known for stirring compassion about the inhumanity of the slave trade in his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african 1789. The interesting narrative and other writings 1995, 2003.
Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. The book is bestknown for its description of the inhumane middle passage to america, which. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. Listen to a dramatic reading of his narrative, and then study the supporting primary sources to answer the discussion questions. The life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano books on. Further, people expect memoirs to have dramatic events and great personages if they are to be interesting. First published in 1772, the volume recounts equianos kidnapping in africa at the age of 10 or 11, and how he was. Now, olaudahs story is unique because he offers a firstperson account of being captured on the coast of africa and hopping onto a slave ship for the infamous middle passage. An analysis of olaudah equianos the middle passage. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on olaudah equianos the life of olaudah equiano.
Recent scholarship has called into question equianos place of birth and whether his narrative is, in fact, a firsthand account. This edition is part of the epic audio collection of talking books. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. 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. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano wikipedia. The book describes equianos time spent in enslavement, and documents his attempts at becoming an. Equianos travels brought him to turkey, martinico, georgia, montserrat.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african. Proofread and pages added by jonathan perry, march 2001. It is a compelling and wellwritten source which describes the middle passage the terrible journey from africa to the west indies. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the life of olaudah equiano. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Whether born in africa or carolina, many scholars agree that the basic content of equianos narrative is a significant.
Children and youth in history the interesting narrative. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. The middle passage by olaudah equiano essay 754 words. 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. Collection gutenberg contributor project gutenberg language english. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts. Olaudah equianos autobiography challenged minds and hearts in the late 1700s. 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.
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