It is the engrossing story in living detail of an igbo prince, his enslavement, and freedom. Like many literary works written by black people during this time, equianos work was discredited as a false presentation of his slavery experience. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african by olaudah equiano. Or gustavus vassa, the african dover thrift editions. He was sent to barbados, then to colonial virginia, and then sold to a british naval officer. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. Mar 17, 2005 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah equiano. Mar 27, 2020 olaudah equiano, selfproclaimed west african sold into slavery and later freed. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african. When olaudah equiano published his autobiography in england in 1789, he achieved. Equiano acknowledges the difficulty of escaping the charge of vanity for writing a memoir, a genre usually dealing in remarkable events. 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.
Olaudah equiano s book, published in 1789, is the first instance of a slave narrative combined with a spiritual autobiography. Sep 03, 2019 olaudah equiano book report september 3, 2019 july 9, 2019 by sampler olaudah equianos the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is one of historys most raw and multifaceted arguments for the abolition of slavery. Jan 21, 2017 unabridged english value reproduction of the life of olaudah equiano. When olaudah equiano published his autobiography in. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself v1. In an attempt to preserve, improve and recreate the original content, we have worked towards. Enslaved as a child, he was taken to the caribbean and sold as a slave to a royal navy officer. He describes scenes of outrageous torture and made it clear to his readers how the institution of slavery dehumanized both owner and slave. Olaudah equiano american literature oxford bibliographies. The book was considered an exemplary work of english literature by a new african author. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of. Narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, free ebook global. Oct 01, 2007 published in 1789, equiano s autobiography was the first of its kind to influence a wide audience.
The narrative is argued to represent a variety of styles, such as a slavery narrative, travel narrative, and spiritual narrative. In 2007, the first edition of equianos book was carried in procession at a. Aug 07, 2017 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by olaudah equiano is published by norton critical edition. Equiano purchased his freedom in 1766 and became active in the british antislavery movement. His 1789 autobiography was immensely popular, and he is considered the originator of the slave narrative, although there is controversy regarding his birth. Unabridged english value reproduction of the life of olaudah equiano.
The book describes equianos time spent in enslavement, and documents his. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. 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. 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. An autobiography is a persons life story told from their own perspective.
This classic is a must read because olaudah writes as if the reader is right there with him, relating his story, feeling his success and his pains. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself audiobook by olaudah equiano 17451797. Equiano did so well in sales that he achieved independence from his. The life of olaudah equiano quotes and analysis gradesaver. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the free ebook project gutenberg. No 79 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano by. We cannot guarantee that the life of olaudah equiano book is in the library, but if you are still not sure with the service, you can choose free trial service. 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. 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. He was sold twice more but purchased his freedom in 1766. Jul 16, 20 the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, written by himself audiobook by olaudah equiano 17451797. B lack literature begins with the slave memoirs of the 18th century.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african, first. Olaudah equiano 17451797 was a former slave who became an outspoken opponent of the slave trade. Equiano uses this preface to frame his work as abolitionist literature, writing that his. Vincent carretta is professor of english at the university of maryland, college park. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah this book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. The life of olaudah equiano study guide literature guide.
Olaudah equiano books list of books by author olaudah. The authors account of his country, and their manners and customsadministration of justiceembrenchemarriage ceremony, and public entertainmentsmode of livingdressmanufactures buildingscommerceagriculturewar. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavas vassa, the african 1789 stirring compassion about the inhumanity of the slave trade, and helped lead to the passage of the slave trade act of 1807 which ended the african trade for britain and its colonies. He, however, is an obscure person not known to the public. A compelling account that has gripped and fascinated readers since its original london publication in 1789. The life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa, the african 1789 unc, documenting the american south, 1789 edition, 2 vols. Biography of a selfmade man by vincent carretta 417pp, university of georgia. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is olaudah equiano s autobiography.
Global grey free pdf, epub, kindle ebook pages pdf. In order to read online or download the life of olaudah equiano ebooks in pdf, epub, tuebl and mobi format, you need to create a free account. 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. Olaudah equiano, author info, published books, bio, photo. List of books and articles about olaudah equiano online research.
Jan 01, 2009 one of the most remarkable figures in the history of african literature is olaudah equiano, who is also known as gustavus vassa. He is the editor of the penguin classics editions of the complete writings of phillis wheatley, letters of the late ignatius sancho, an african, and thoughts. Olaudah equiano 1745 31 march 1797 was a freed slave who supported the british movement to end the slave trade. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano study guide contains a biography of olaudah equiano, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and ana. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, written in 1789, is the autobiography of olaudah equiano. Pdf the life of olaudah equiano ebooks includes pdf, epub. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Summary of the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano.
Describing an intense journey of being captured, enslaved, and freed, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano or gustavas vassa, the african is a book, which provides firsthand details of the traumatic stronghold slavery held over those directly and indirectly affected by slavery. His autobiography, the interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. Black literature begins with the slave memoirs of the 18th century. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano wikipedia. Equianos account of his birth and early life, and how he and his sister were kidnapped and enslaved. It was immensely influential in ending the slave trade in england and america, which finally happened a decade after his death. Olaudah equiano book report literature essay samples. Olaudah equiano was born in 1745 in eboe, in what is now nigeria. This book is a result of an effort made by us towards making a contribution to the preservation and repair of original classic literature. 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. 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. Olaudah equiano quotes author of the interesting narrative.
Equiano selfpublished his narrative, funded by subscribers who ordered copies of the book in advance of its publication. Olaudah equiano, tells of his adventures on the high seas and his role in abolishing. Olaudah equiano american literature i sarah manning by. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano is olaudah equianos autobiography. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on olaudah equiano s the life of olaudah equiano. Costanzo, angelo, equiano, olaudah, the oxford companion to african american literature, eds. When he was about eleven, equiano was kidnapped and sold to slave traders headed to the west indies.
The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano. A compelling account that has gripped and fascinated readers since its original london publication in 1789, the narrative describes equiano s formidable journey from captivity to freedom and literacy. The interesting narrative of the life of olaudah equiano, or gustavus vassa olaudah equiano format. He told the story of his life and suffering as a slave.