Who wrote The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano?

Who wrote The Interesting Narrative of Olaudah Equiano?

Olaudah Equiano
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Illustrated/Authors

Why did Olaudah Equiano wrote The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano?

In its introduction, Equiano states that the main purpose of the book is to “excite in [the reader’s] august assemblies a sense of compassion of the miseries which the Slave-Trade has entailed on my unfortunate countrymen.” The book succeeded dramatically in this regard, since it offered a vivid first-hand account of …

When was Olaudah Equiano’s narrative written?

1789
His autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; or, Gustavus Vassa, the African, Written by Himself (1789), with its strong abolitionist stance and detailed description of life in Nigeria, was so popular that in his lifetime it ran through nine English editions and one…

Who is Equiano’s audience in his narrative?

Equiano’s reading audience was mostly composed of American and European abolitionists. His immediate purpose was to influence the British political leaders who were debating the slave trade issue in Parliament in the late 1780’s.

Is Olaudah Equiano a reliable source?

The Interesting Narrative conveys the first-hand experiences of an African who is stripped of the basic rights given to humans and is forced into slavery, while at the same this individual fights for freedom. This autobiography is a reliable source for historians, educators, and students.

What are the major themes of Equiano’s narrative?

The Life of Olaudah Equiano Themes

• Culture, Education, and “Civilizing”
• Freedom and Slavery.
• Conversion, Providence, and God’s Will.
• Commerce and Trade.
• Selfhood.

What does Equiano hope his audience will learn from his writings?

He wrote an autobiography on himself that showed the horrors of slavery. He did this in hopes that it would make people want to abolish slavery once they found out the awful conditions slaves lived in.

Why did Equiano run from his master?

It has now been two or three years since Equiano first came to England. After a while his Master got called back to sea, so Equiano had to leave school to work for his Master. They went to Gibraltar, which allowed him to get cheap meat and tell the story of losing his sister.

When did Olaudah Equiano publish his autobiography?

In 1773 he accompanied Irving on a polar expedition in search of a northeast passage from Europe to Asia. Equiano published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, in 1789 as a two-volume work.

What did Olaudah Equiano write about the slave trade?

He published his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano (1789), which depicted the horrors of slavery. It went through nine editions and helped gain passage of the British Slave Trade Act of 1807, which abolished the African slave trade.

What was the narration of the life of Equiano?

The narration occasionally reflects the childish wonder of the young Equiano at the time of his journey, but it also highlights his culture shock at his introduction to European culture and European treatment of slaves.

Where did Olaudah Equiano go to resettle the Black Poor?

Equiano was appointed to an expedition to resettle London’s Black Poor in Freetown, a new British colony founded on the west coast of Africa, at present-day Sierra Leone.