Chapter 18

Voice: Olaudah Equiano Describes Passage on a Slave Ship

This activity corresponds to the “Olaudah Equiano Describes Passage on a Slave Ship” feature in your textbook. The following questions are designed to help you to interpret this account of the passage overseas of an enslaved man and his subsequent treatment on board the ship. Once you have answered the questions in the Comprehension section, submit your answers and move on to the questions in the Analysis section. Each section is designed to build upon the one before it, taking you deeper into the subject you are studying. After you have answered all of the questions, you will have the option of emailing your responses to your instructor.

Introduction

Olaudah Equiano is a controversial figure, who is also known as Gustavus Vassa. As a central figure in the British debate for the abolition of the slave trade, Equiano’s personal account of his enslavement, treatment, and subsequent freedom inspired many to favor abolition of the slave trade, which finally occurred in Great Britain in 1807. The controversy arises due to some evidence that he may have actually been born in South Carolina and that parts of his account may be based on others’ earlier tales of the passage across the Atlantic. No matter what his origins, Equiano had a remarkable career as a in merchant seaman and explorer in the Western Hemisphere and Great Britain.

Comprehension

1. What was Equiano’s related experience of encountering white slavers for the first time? What did he think they were going to do with him?

2. Why would Equiano be punished for not eating? What was the purpose of feeding him, even though he was sick on board the ship?

3. What were the conditions like on board the ship, according to Equiano’s recollections?

Analysis

1. Why would Equiano’s account stir the sympathy and compassion of many people who otherwise tolerated slavery up to this time?

2. Recall the fact that Equiano was about ten when these events occurred. What does this fact tell us about the slavers and whom they were looking to bring on board? Why would they want young slaves?

3. Investigate the role of William Wilberforce and John Newton in the struggle for the abolition of slavery. In 2007, the film Amazing Grace was created to investigate the events surrounding the abolition of slavery, featuring all three of these characters. For more information visit http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace_%282007_film%29.