This selection from equianos narrative provides a sobering descrip tion of the. Olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of. It was published in 1789, at a time when its author was wellknown in english abolitionist circles. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african. What makes olaudah equianos account unique is that is was the first slave narrative to find a wide audience, and it is not hard to understand why not only is it a good story, but it is very well written, almost literary it sold so well it was a cornerstone in bringing about public sympathy and support for the abolition of the slavery in. Written and published by equiano, a former slave, it became a prototype for the narratives that followed. 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. Excerpt from olaudah equiano, the interesting narrative of the life of oludah equiano 1789. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789, ch.
In describing significant events in his or her life, the writer often documents the horrors of slavery. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. That part of africa, known by the name of guinea, to which the trade for slaves. A resident of london during the 1780s, equiano became involved in british abolitionism and was a vocal opponent of the slave trade and slavery until his death in 1797.
Answering the question above, i have come to discuss the life of olaudah equiano as one of slave narratives written in eighteenth centuries that belongs to abolitionist literature, a type of literature whose main aim is the abolition of slave system. Olaudah equiano wrote the interesting narrative at a time when many africans remembered their lives before enslavement. Full text online at documenting the american south. The first slave narrative to become an international bestseller was the twovolume interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Edited and with notes by shelly eversley introduction by robert reidpharr in this truly astonishing eighteenthcentury memoir, olaudah equiano recounts his remarkable life story, which begins when he is kidnapped in africa as a boy and sold into slavery and culminates when he has achieved renown as a british antislavery advocate. For instance raymond hcdin argucs that in general in cighteenth ccntury lave narratives. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria. The life of olaudah equiano study guide gradesaver. His interesting narrative is a spiritual autobiography, captivity narrative, travel book, adventure tale, slavery narrative. The slaves point of view in the life of olaudah equiano. Jun 09, 2014 answering the question above, i have come to discuss the life of olaudah equiano as one of slave narratives written in eighteenth centuries that belongs to abolitionist literature, a type of literature whose main aim is the abolition of slave system.
Olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage 1789 olaudah equiano 1745. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. The interesting narrative and other writings, by olaudah equiano. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including the life of olaudah equiano. Equiano s autobiography helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african slave trade for britain and its colonies. According to equiano, slave traders abducted him and his sister at the age of 11 and shipped them to.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano study guide contains a biography of olaudah equiano, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and ana. The slave narratives emerging in the late eighteenth century arose from an. What makes olaudah equiano s account unique is that is was the first slave narrative to find a wide audience, and it is not hard to understand why not only is it a good story, but it is very well written, almost literary it sold so well it was a cornerstone in bringing about public sympathy and support for the abolition of the slavery in. With this, the reader can accredit equianos narrative to be a reliable and firsthand source to the journey of the middle passage. In the mid 1750s when he was about eleven years old, olaudah equiano was captured with his sister by slave traders in presentday southeastern nigeria. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. The life of olaudah equiano is one of the earliestknown examples of published writing by an african writer and the first influential slave narrative of what became a large literary genre. Angloamerican slave narratives in the netherlands, 178920. Sep 01, 2016 in the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, former slave olaudah equiano tells the story of his life, from the time he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved, through his emancipation, and subsequent freedom. Olaudah equianos the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah.
Olaudah equiano aka gustavus vassa the breaker of chains. 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. Equianos moving account delves into his experience as a sailor and explores the importance of his religious. Quotes from olaudah equiano s the life of olaudah equiano.
Olaudah equianos firstperson account recalls his terrifying journey as an 11yearold captive aboard a slave ship from africa to barbados in 1756. This allows the reader to believe equiano as he depicts the slave experience. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. Excerpt from the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself author. Interesting narrative, equiano manages to combine autobiography with arguments against slavery. The slave trades evils and barbarities give it a kind of human agency, especially since equiano argues that it is slavery itself that. Pdf the life of olaudah equiano download ebook for free. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. Olaudah equiano was an african activist, journalist, explorer, writer, seamen merchant, abolitionist, and antislavery campaigner best known for his influence over british abolitionists and his personal account of slavery in his bestselling. Olaudah equiano describes national humanities center. Alrick riley employed dramatic reconstruction, archival material and interviews with scholars such as stuart hall and ian duffield to provide the social and economic context of the 18thcentury slave trade. Equianos autobiography helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african slave trade for britain and its colonies. Famous black civil rights activists and politicians. Furthermore, as proven in historical documents, equiano was a slave aboard one of the many slave ships.
Quotes from olaudah equianos the life of olaudah equiano. In the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, former slave olaudah equiano tells the story of his life, from the time he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved, through his emancipation, and subsequent freedom. The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the. From the interesting narrative and other writings, by olaudah equiano. Though he spent a brief period in the state of virginia, much of equiano s time in slavery was spent serving the captains of slave ships and british navy vessels. Olaudah equiano describes his homeland in west africa. According to equiano, slave traders abducted him and his sister at. The slave trade in general is the vast, inhuman antagonist against which equiano struggles throughout the bookindeed, it is the slave trade against which equiano writes the narrative itself. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Though he spent a brief period in the state of virginia, much of equianos time in slavery was spent serving the captains of slave ships and british navy vessels. Oct 18, 2017 olaudah equiano also known as gustavus vassa was born on 16 october 1746 in southern nigeria.
Gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. The narrative basically serves olaudahs perspective on slavery as a form of racism act. When he was about eleven, equiano was kidnapped and sold to slave traders headed to the west indies. 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. Narratives slave narratives early caribbean slave narratives pascal, michael henry king, robert. It was the first slave autobiography and one of the earliest publication by an african. When he was about ten years old, he was kidnapped by africans known as aros and sold into slavery. This selection from equiano s narrative provides a sobering descrip tion of the middle passage and the operation of the slave trade. He was reputedly the son of a chief in the area and was kidnapped by. In the following excerpt, equiano describes cross ing the atlantic in a slave ship. The project gutenberg ebook of the interesting narrative of. Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself.
Understanding gustavus vassa, or olaudah equiano, was the first successful professional author of african descent in the englishspeaking world. That part of africa, known by the name of guinea, to which the trade for slaves is carried. Kidnapped in africa as a child, equiano was transported to the caribbean and then to virginia, bought by a quaker. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer.
You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. The autobiography entitled, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, published in 1789, is a narrative that describes the events that occurred to an elevenyearold boy living in the eboe area of what is now southern nigeria. Olaudah equiano also known as gustavus vassa was born on 16 october 1746 in southern nigeria. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. Pdf the life of olaudah equiano ebooks includes pdf, epub. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Equiano describes the experiences of his life and the time spent in slavery. The interesting narrative 1789 is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Equianos visit to guernsey certainly confirms that the island was not free of slaves, but it also highlights the fact that slavetrading in guernsey ships was being carried out in proximity to some of the most influential guernsey families of the mid. About the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Slave narrative a slave narrative is an autobiographical ac count of life as a slave.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, is a personal autobiography of himself, olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, documenting the hardships of slavery throughout his lifetime. Edited with and introduction and notes by vincent carretta. Equiano writes one of the best primary sources from a slaves perspective and. Download the dutch edition of the interesting narrative pdf belowthe dutch edition of the interesting narrative equiano 2019 e. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life. Olaudah equiano wrote an account of the middle passage in his 1789 autobiography. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african ebook pdf, epub, mobi, prc about the author olaudah equiano c. The first autobiography written by a former slave, olaudah equiano s the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is also one of the most widelyread and wellregarded of the slave narrative genre. Equiano writes one of the best primary sources from a slaves perspective and masters perspective during slavery. Middle passage national museum of american history. Pdf the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement. Excerpts from the interesting narrative of olaudah equiano.
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