olaudah equiano
Olaudah Equiano called Gustavus Vassa by his white masters, became a legend through his words. In 1788 England published his autobiographical work, Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative, which set the precedent for anti-slavery literature written by former slaves themselves. This would have a profound impact on the abolition movements in the eighteenth century. Born in a small village called Eboe, Equiano would travel far before his death in 1797. African slave traders took him from his family when he was eleven, thus beginning a journey that can be compared to no other.Equiano's narrative reveals the difference between slavery in Africa and the West. The West was much more cruel and inhumane. Equiano recalls that slavery was a part of the Eboe world but, unlike the European exploitation of Africans by Westerners, Eboe slaves were acquired as prisoners for committing inhumane acts. Equiano's enslavement did not follow the rules of his land, he was taken as a young innocent boy. Equiano was fortunate to have mostly kind masters. He nevertheless recalls his African masters as like second families to him. Many spoke the same language and had similar customs. As he was pa
The majority of his masters treated him quite well, some even befriended him. Although Equiano had many privileges most slaves did not, he still experienced many hard times. Equiano did have instances where he was flogged and beaten. Every culture Equiano was exposed to influenced the man he became. With this quote in mind, he ends his story with his hopes to abolish slavery. The way the blacks were treated was sickening. Even though, Equiano was treated better then other slaves, his narrative still exploits the whites for the mistreatment of blacks. By taking away the identity of the slave the owner was able to demonstrate the total control they had over them. Pascal's renaming of Equiano was a typical act of slave owners. I now wished for the last friend, Death to relieve me. He was given the chance to journey to many parts of the world, serve in the Seven Years War, and was also taught how to read and write; he was even allowed to work and earn money through trading. Even though the experiences Equiano described did not all happen to him, does not change the fact that every slave was stripped of their freedom and brutally treated. Through sea borne trade and shipping, cultures were connected around the world. The purpose of Equiano's narrative was to heighten the awareness of those who had little knowledge of the cruelty of the institution of slavery.
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