The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano facts for kids
Cover image
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| Author | Olaudah Equiano |
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| Country | Great Britain |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Autobiography, slave narrative |
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Publication date
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1789 |
| OCLC | 23633870 |
| 305.567092 | |
| LC Class | HT869.E6 A3 1794 |
| Text | The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African at Wikisource |
The book The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African is an autobiography. This means it's a true story written by the person it's about. It tells the amazing life story of Olaudah Equiano. He was born in Africa around 1745. Sadly, he was kidnapped and forced into enslavement when he was a child. Later, he managed to buy his freedom. He then became a strong voice against slavery in the United Kingdom. The book was first published in London in 1789.
Contents
About Olaudah Equiano's Book
This book is very special. It shares Equiano's experiences as an enslaved person. It also shows how he worked hard to become independent. He studied the Bible and learned a lot. Eventually, he gained his freedom. He also became successful in business.
What Kind of Story Is It?
People describe Equiano's book in different ways.
- It is a slavery narrative. This means it tells about the terrible experience of being enslaved.
- It is a travel narrative. Equiano traveled a lot during his life. He sailed across oceans and visited many places.
- It is a spiritual narrative. The book talks about his journey of faith. He learned about Christianity and found comfort in it.
Who Was Olaudah Equiano?
Olaudah Equiano was born in what is now Nigeria. He was kidnapped when he was only about 11 years old. He was then sold into slavery. He was taken across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. This journey was known as the Middle Passage.
Life as an Enslaved Person
Equiano worked for different owners. He was a servant and a sailor. He learned to read and write. This was very unusual for an enslaved person at that time. His ability to read and write helped him greatly.
Gaining Freedom
Equiano saved money from working. In 1766, he bought his own freedom. This was a very difficult thing to do. After becoming free, he continued to travel. He worked as a merchant and a barber.
Equiano the Abolitionist
Equiano moved to London, England. He became a leader in the movement to end slavery. This movement was called abolitionism. He spoke out against the slave trade. He worked with other abolitionists to change laws. His book helped many people understand the horrors of slavery. It played a big part in the fight to abolish the slave trade.
