Primary Source Analysis- Equiano PDF

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Olaudah Equiano: The Narrative That Speaks for Millions

Spencer McCroskey World History from 1440s-Present Professor McCormack February 25, 2019

The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano is an autobiography written by Olaudah Equiano In 1779. Equiano was an enslaved man who knew the agony of slavery firsthand and after he was freed, he published his own experiences at the climax of the abolitionist movement1, making his narrative’s relevance to the time period undeniable. His narrative was perhaps one of the best arguments against the inhumane system of slavery and antiabolitionists. Olaudah Equiano wrote this narrative to inform of his vivid, horrific experiences within the thresholds of slavery while challenging slaveholders to learn from what God has told them in regards to the treatment of other people. His story is so valuable to History because millions of slaves experienced similar scenarios, but not nearly enough of them had the opportunity to share their own stories. The beginning of Olaudah Equiano’s account shows the authentic fear that was instilled to him immediately upon being enslaved. “...And I was now persuaded that I had gotten into a world of bad spirits, and they were going to kill me”. 2 His usage of the phrase “Their complexions, too, differing from ours” intentionally shows that he was aware of the cultural and racial divide and he was now in a life threatening position3. His feelings of terror were were confirmed and especially when he saw a “multitude of black people of every description chained together”4. This is the first time the reader can see that what he was going to be experiencing as a Slave had become visually real to him, and essentially the moment the he realized his fate. The first direct form of conversation with him was among himself and paid Blacks that had brought him onboard. A presumably white crew member offered Equiano, but he refused to consume it 1 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), Introduction 2 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 1. 3 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 1. 4 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 1.

until one of the Africans took it from the member and offered it to Equiano5. This interaction is significant because Equiano displayed a sense of trust for the Black men, despite them both being on opposite sides of the slave trade. Unfortunately, there is not much narrative from the Black men who were not enslaved on the ship, but based off Equiano’s account, they may not have meant to incite as much harm to the slaves as much as the other crewmen. Notably, even upon Equiano’s hunger strike, two white crewmen attempted to forcibly feed him. Interestingly, Equiano both feared death but would also risk dead If it meant the relief from brutality. “I naturally feared the element (water) the first time I saw it, yet, nevertheless, could I have gotten over the nettings, I would have jumped over the side”6. His willingness to literally “dive into the unknown” shows the desperation he (along with other) felt and that feeling is recurring throughout his narrative as he hoped to share the fate of his companions to end his miseries 7. Equiano also made very vivid claims about the environment of the ship when all of the cargo was loaded and it was ready to set sail. According to Equiano, factors such as toxic smells and crowdedness below the deck created a horrific scene that brought sickness and death upon the slaves8. This is significant because it showed that the slave trade brought other horrors besides their eventual fate of death or working under an abusive owner, and that the first stage of the Atlantic Slave Trade was only the beginning of a life of servitude and eventual death. Toward the end of Equiano’s narrative, he directs several powerful rhetorical questions to Christian slave owners and traders, questioning if they are truly treating man as God would 9. These pleas appears as a persuasive and way to completely put an end to the inhuman institution that is slavery. In conclusion, Olaudah Equiano’s narrative was a brief yet powerful insight on 5 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 1-2. 6 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 2. 7 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 2 8 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), . 2 9 Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative Of The Life of Olaudah Equiano, (Wisconsin, Madison, 1987), 3.

what the passage was like during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and helped gain support for the Abolitionist movement....