The Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano And Gustavus Vassa, The...

The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. Written by Himself told the story of a man’s personal experience of being kidnapped from his home in present day Nigeria, being forced into slavery, and then eventually buying his own freedom all while discovering his true self along the way. Despite the story giving many people around the world an inside look at how brutal the slave trade really was, it caused great controversy. Vincent Carretta questioned the authenticity of Equiano’s identity as an African in his early life. The Narrative was framed to truly influence readers opinions, rather than just educate. Equiano used the identity he created for himself as a way to help readers relate. The controversy surrounding it does have an effect on the narrative as a historical document but not on the true purpose of the story behind it. In the beginning of the narrative, Equiano informs the reader about how early life in Africa, before being kidnapped at the age of twelve along with his sister, was. He discusses his native country’s manners and customs in a way very dear to him (Chapter 1). After being kidnapped and encountering the European man, he continued to question their culture and manners compared to his own. But as he became assimilated more, he becomes blinded by the desire to want to become more like the European man, while forgetting about this African culture. In chapter four of his narrative, he even admits that heShow MoreRelatedOlaudah Equianos the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself1119 Words   |  5 PagesOlaudah Equiano s The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, is the story of the eponymous real-life character, Olaudah Equiano, his life, trials, tribul ations and journey from slavery at an early age to freedom. For Equiano, it seems that slavery is almost a metaphysical phenomenon. His entire life is essentially characterized by the different experiences relating slavery, from Africa to the Middle Passage to plantation life inRead MoreThe Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African938 Words   |  4 PagesBorn in 1745, Equiano was born a member of the Igbo tribe in a village called Essaka in the kingdom of Benin. He describes Essaka as a remote and fertile village where slavery is a part of life. Born into a family of seven, Equiano is the youngest of six sons and the greatest favourite of his mother. One day, when he and his sister were left to mind their house while their people were gone to their work, they were both kidnapped and enslaved, violating the unwritten rules that slaves should onlyRead MoreSummary : Free Slave Voice 1397 Words   |  6 Pagesfor we are many and evil is few. (OE) after reading the excerpt of â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African,† it was then necessary to read the complete text. Upon completion of the reading, I found that it was somewhat troublesome because there is not a sense of urgency in the tone of his writing to help his fellow Negros out of their enslavement. The narrative does not provoke the reader to become alarmed at the plight of Negro slave but insteadRead MoreThe Complex Nature Of Equiano s Identity Crisis1411 Words   |  6 Pagescrisis Equiano presents himself as an African, who is embattled with a myriad of issues enroute to a foreign land. He starts off as a normal African boy that takes pride in the family unit. His life changes as he is exposed to a life of slavery that makes him wonder just how far he would go to regain his freedom. Equaino is celebrated due to his anti-slave trade achievements, but rather criticized for a lack of authenticity in his plight to free the world of slavery. He begins his narrative with aRead MoreAmitav Ghosh the Hungry Tide and the Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano5089 Words   |  21 PagesBoth The Hungry Tide and The Interesting Narrative Of Olaudah Equiano are tales of sociological hardships combined with a life bound to the sea. The ocean plays a significant role in the text offering disempowerment to some whilst empowering others. In The Interesting Narrative the slave trade was in full swing and a capitalist attitude heavily dominates the text, whilst in The Hungry Tide capitalism plays a smaller role and the humanitarian backdrop of the story is a more central theme. In thisRead More Jessica Rodriguez Essay1364 Words   |  6 PagesAccuracy in Equiano’s Novel Olaudah Equiano’s autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself, has become a very important piece of literature. Equiano established a new type of literature with this novel. It was the first autobiography/slave narrative ever written. Many other slaves, such as Fredrick Douglass, followed his example in writing autobiographies or slave narratives. Equiano not only gives detailed descriptionsRead MoreEssay On Olaudah Equiano1405 Words   |  6 PagesOlaudah Equiano narrative In Olaudah Equiano narrative discusses the many obstacles, struggles which he has to overcome for his path to freedom. Equiano had many difficult problems in his life which many people have taken a special role in. I will discuss about the countless people that had both positive and negative impact in Equiano’s life. Equiano’s life was not an easy one, I will argue despite the many obstacles that came across his life he always remained strong which is why he was able toRead More Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa Essay1022 Words   |  5 PagesOlaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa It was in 1758 when Olaudah Equiano was kidnapped from his home in Southeastern Nigeria and sold into slavery. Equiano was just eleven years old at the time and was forced to leave his Ibo religion, his family, and all else familiar. His account of being introduced to the Europeans which forced him into slavery is especially powerful, for Equiano had never laid sight on a white man before. ...I was carried on board. I was immediately handled and tossed upRead More Olaudah Equiano Essay1230 Words   |  5 Pagesamateur scientist, and even a hairdresser. These are all jobs that Olaudah Equiano held during his lifetime. He has been called the quot;most influential African writer in both Africa, America and Britain before the Civil Warquot;, and was born in Essaka, Nigeria sometime during 1745 (ONeale, 153). His family was part of the Ibo tribe, which was located in the North Ika Ibo region of Essaka. In his earliest years, Olaudah Equiano was trained in the art of war. His daily exercises included shootingRead MoreA Journey Of Freedom By Olaudah Equiano Essay1865 Words   |  8 PagesA Journey to Freedom Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative depicts one man’s journey of being enslaved to finally obtaining his freedom. The autobiography begins with narrator transporting the reader back to his early youth. Equiano provides a very detailed description of his village life in Eboe, Africa. However, Equiano life and freedom is quickly taken from him, as he is snatched and thrust into the chains of slavery. Along Equiano enslavement he experiences religion, theories of the enlightenment