In the first autobiography written by a former slave, “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, The African,” Olaudah Equiano examines the beginning of his life before, during, and after his enslavement. Published in 1789, the narrative serves as an explicit examination of 18th century slave trade from Equiano’s point of view, detailing his experiences. Born in Eboe in a farming village in what is now Nigeria, Equiano recounts his peaceful and quiet life in Africa, although Equiano witnessed the kidnapping of his people by Africans and foreigners from a young age. Equiano’s recount begins at the age of eleven, when he and his sister are kidnapped into slavery and ends with his life in England after his enslavement. His narrative argues against the institution of slavery, specifically the cruelty of the system, and for glorious freedom of humans through the
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Equiano worked to ensure his work would be read by the masses, creating nine editions by 1794, in order to achieve this goal. Although Equiano did not live to see it, his work was seminal in mobilizing the abolitionist sentiment that secured the end of the slave trade in England in 1807.
Equiano’s gripping memoir begins with a description of the culture he held onto while enslaved and his initial capture/enslavement. Through Equiano’s recollection in the first chapter, it is clear enslaved peoples were able to retain their cultures even though, as Equiano states, their destinies were stolen. The first chapter details the “manners and customs of [the] country,” and the pleasant, hopeful tone is juxtaposed by the horror of slavery explained in the second chapter. This change in tone is foreshadowed in the last paragraph of chapter one when Equiano asks the readers “does not slavery itself depress the mind, and
Equiano worked to ensure his work would be read by the masses, creating nine editions by 1794, in order to achieve this goal. Although Equiano did not live to see it, his work was seminal in mobilizing the abolitionist sentiment that secured the end of the slave trade in England in 1807.
Equiano’s gripping memoir begins with a description of the culture he held onto while enslaved and his initial capture/enslavement. Through Equiano’s recollection in the first chapter, it is clear enslaved peoples were able to retain their cultures even though, as Equiano states, their destinies were stolen. The first chapter details the “manners and customs of [the] country,” and the pleasant, hopeful tone is juxtaposed by the horror of slavery explained in the second chapter. This change in tone is foreshadowed in the last paragraph of chapter one when Equiano asks the readers “does not slavery itself depress the mind, and