Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Gustavus vassa the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. He tells of his abduction from africa at the age of ten, and his subsequent years of labor on slave ships. Olaudah equiano abolitionist and writer for a brief period he was commissary to sierra leone for the committee for the relief of the black poor. In 2007, the first edition of equianos book was carried in procession at a special. Olaudah equiano 17451797 also known as gustavus vassa, was a prominent african involved in the british movement for the abolition of the slave trade. 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. Currently docsouth includes sixteen thematic collections of books, diaries, posters, artifacts, letters, oral history interviews, and songs. The book describes equianos time spent in enslavement, and 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. Olaudah equiano has 82 books on goodreads with 33242 ratings. Nowadays, its all about the cultural capital, but sometimes even slaves managed to get their voices heard. Olaudah equiano 1745 31 march 1797 was a freed slave who supported the british movement to end the slave trade.
Let the polished and haughty european recollect that his ancestors. The trials of british romanticism, which studies the relation between political suppression and. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african. But, eventually one of his master gave him his freedom. Instant downloads of all 1296 litchart pdfs including the life of olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano kindle edition by equiano, olaudah. 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. The life of olaudah equiano bibliography gradesaver.
Olaudah equiano was a former slave who became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade. Gustavus vassa the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. 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. From an early age, olaudah equiano experienced the horrors of slavery first hand.
Olaudah equianos most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano first appeared in london in 1789 and went through nine editions, one of them in new york, over the next six years. Olaudah equianos argument against slavery was his life. My mind travelled back to the dreary sands of the west indian islands as i read through the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the studentshare our website is a unique platform where students can share their papers in a matter of giving an example of the work to be done. From nigeria, equiano, also known as gustavus vassa, was kidnapped from his village at the age of eleven, shipped through the grueling middle passage of the atlantic ocean, hardened in the west indies and sold to a virginia planter. Olaudah equiano describes national humanities center.
And in that shall ye say, praise the lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people. Olaudah equiano, slave and author african american registry. Written and published by equiano, a former slave, it became a prototype for the narratives that followed. This book just puts me in awe of his situation olauduah was only a child when he was taken away from his. Proofread and posted by raluca preotu, august 1999. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. This electronic edition has been created by optical.
The book describes equiano s time spent in slavery, and documents his attempts at becoming an independent man through his study of the bible, and his eventual conversion to christianity. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Sarah manning the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano excerpts i believe it is difficult for those who publish their own memories to escape the imputation of vanity. For a firsthand account by middle passage survivors, see olaudah equiano, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on olaudah equiano s the life of olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano s most popular book is the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equ. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. The schomburg center for research in black culture, new york public library, provided the text for the electronic publication of this title. The life of olaudah equiano study guide from litcharts.
His life is a tale of terror, as well as an exciting adventure. The interesting narrative and other writings, by olaudah equiano. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in the african country that is now nigeria. Olaudah equiano 1745 1797 was an 18thcentury african writer and antislavery campaigner. Olaudah equiano 17451797, known by people as gustavus vassa, was a freed slave turned prominent african man in london. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african is an exciting and terrifying adventure story equiano s accounts of his kidnapping in africa at the age of ten, his service as the slave of an officer in the british navy, his ten years of labor on slave ships until he. Read a brief narrative about the extraordinary life of olaudah equiano discover how. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. The book in short talks about how igbo slaves owned by the late james madisons grandfather. The following text is an excerpt from equiano s autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, in which equiano tells the tale of his brutal voyage across the. When he was about eleven, equiano was kidnapped and sold to slave traders headed to the west indies. Olaudah equiano s interesting narrative, in which the author describes his birth in africa, his enslavement and transportation to america, and his journey from slavery to freedom, was published just a few days before the british parliament first debated the abolition of the slave trade in 1789. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the life of olaudah equiano, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Equiano asks to be excused for laying out in such detail the customs of his native country. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. Older children were often given the task of acting as lookouts and if they saw any traders approaching the village they would let out a loud cry. This enabled him to become a british citizen and he began writing about his experiences. Classic books library presents this brand new edition of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, an autobiography published in 1798. There is some evidence in his book that would make one question why olaudah equiano did some of his actions, but there are also reasons for what he did. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Full text online at documenting the american south. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. I will trust and not be afraid, for the lord jehovah is my strength and my song. The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. As one of the earliest slave memoirs, olaudah equianos book is of course a priceless historical document. The life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano books on. May 31, 2007 one of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african written by himself language. Equiano wrote his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, in 1789. 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 interesting narrative by olaudah equiano, paperback. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789, ch. Or, gustavus vassa, the african by olaudah equiano at indigo. Olaudah equiano if olaudah equiano was born in south carolina rather than africa, then it would put his entire book into question whether the majority of his story is a lie or not. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. He was born some time around the year 1745 in the kingdom of benin, an area found in presentday nigeria.
Equianos moving account delves into his experience as a sailor and explores the importance of his religious. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting. In 1789, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, by olaudah equiano, was published. A remarkable account of early slavery and later freedom, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is the 1789 autobiography of former slave olaudah equiano. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave.
Kidnapped from his home village in west africa at the age of about 10 or 11, equiano was traded between a variety of african owners before arriving on the coast to be shipped across the atlantic. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Commonlit olaudah equiano recalls the middle passage. Olaudah equiano, author info, published books, bio, photo. I, 15001865 olaudah equiano describes his homeland in west africa. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to. Proofread and pages added by jonathan perry, march 2001.
Slave narratives comprise one of the most influential traditions in american literature, shaping the form and themes of some of the most celebrated and controversial writing, both in fiction and in autobiography, in the history of the. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african contributor names equiano, olaudah, 17451797. His autobiography depicted the horrors of slavery and helped influence british lawmakers to abolish the slave trade through the slave trade act of 1807. The question and answer section for the life of olaudah equiano is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Olaudah equiano the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african london, 1789. Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative. Collections north american slave narratives document menu olaudah equiano, b. Buy the paperback book the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Later, when equianos origins were questioned after his book was published, the guerins testified to his.
The trials of british romanticism, which studies the. In the mid 1750s when he was about eleven years old, olaudah equiano was. The life of olaudah equiano paperback january 21, 2017. Editor joanna brooks and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Written by himself by olaudah equiano olaudah equiano created a record of the 18th century slave trade through his firsthand knowledge and experiences and the writing of this book. Published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. He alerts us to the very concerns that trouble modern intellectuals, black, white, and otherwise. The life of olaudah equiano ebook written by olaudah equiano. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano was a key work of nineteenthcentury slave narrative autobiography. Interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or. In his autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, he tells the story of his youth in an african village, his kidnapping, his being. Documenting the american south docsouth is a digital publishing initiative that provides internet access to texts, images, and audio files related to southern history, literature, and culture. From the interesting narrative and other writings, by olaudah equiano.
An analysis of olaudah equianos the middle passage. I just finished reading a very interesting book called murder at montpelier. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first published in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Documenting the american south docsouth, a digital publishing initiative sponsored by the university library at the university of north carolina at chapel hill, provides access to digitized primary materials that offer southern perspectives on american history and culture. The life of olaudah equiano quotes and analysis buy study guide this produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as i may call it, of their purchasers. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the life of olaudah equiano. Equiano s work became an important part of the abolitionist cause, because he was able to portray. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria. Edited with and introduction and notes by vincent carretta. To browse all titles listed in one page, click here warning. The life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789 unc, documenting the american south, 1789 edition, 2 vols.
He was born into an igbo community that he called essaka, or most probably isieke, in what is now the ihiala local government area of the anambra state of nigeria. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave. He continues that he was the youngest son, and thus his mother. The electronic edition is a part of the uncch digitization project, documenting the american south.
Olaudah equiano tells the story of his life with such clarity and recollection it is hard to put this book down. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Equiano traveled the world as a slave to a ship captain and merchant. Aug 07, 2017 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano is published by norton critical edition. His autobiography, published in 1789, helped in the creation of the slave trade act 1807 which ended the african trade for britain and its colonies. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Kidnapped in africa as a child, equiano was transported to the caribbean and then to virginia, bought by a quaker shipowner, and placed in service at sea. It supplies teachers, students, and researchers at every educational level with a wide array of titles they can use for. Olaudah equiano on this date in 1745, we remember the birth of olaudah equiano, an african slave, and author. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. Olaudah equiano 17451797 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano.
Though we have made best efforts the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, he tells the story of his youth in an african. The life of olaudah equiano quotes and analysis gradesaver. The narrative is a strikingly beautiful monument to the. Olaudah equianos interesting narrative essay example. 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. Mar 27, 2020 olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. Click on the linked letters in the list below to browse by titles beginning with that letter. A slave, who at the age of 7, was kidnapped from his village in africa and subsequently enslaved for 11 years until which time he could buy his freedom. Published in 1789, equianos autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience. Olaudah equiano alias gustavo vassa 1745 in igbo, im heutigen nigeria. It is one of the earliest books published by a black african writer.
Full text of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Olaudah equiano was a prominent african involved in the british movement towards the abolition of the slave trade. Zz37389 microfilm, schomburg center for research in black culture, new york public library the electronic edition is a part of the uncch digitization project, documenting the american south. I hanover historical texts project scanned and proofread by kathleen diekhoff, may 1998. Books by olaudah equiano author of the interesting narrative. 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. This is a pre1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality.
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