Term Paper on "Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated"

Term Paper 3 pages (1080 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Olaudah Equiano a) Olaudah Equiano ironically participated in the slave trade itself to earn the money that bought him his freedom. In Chapter 5 he notes, "I used frequently to have different cargoes of new negroes in my care for sale." Later, Equiano kick-started his career as a merchant when he became Captain Thomas Farmer's esteemed shipmate. Accompanying the captain on mercantile voyages introduces Equiano to the world of business and sales, which he capitalized on to save gradually enough money to purchase his freedom. At first, he notes, "I had but a very small capital to begin with; for one single half bit, which is equal to three pence in England, made up my whole stock" (Ch. 6). One trip at a time, Equiano bolstered his profits until "with my money in my hand, and many fears in my heart," he bought his freedom back from his master (Ch. 7). Moreover, the author learned the ups and downs of capitalism the hard way: having had his entire stock stolen from him at one point. "Thus, in the very minute of gaining more by three times than I ever did by any venture in my life before, was I deprived of every farthing I was worth," (Ch. 6). Equiano thus accumulated money through, as he notes, "honest" means, the same means used by other merchants of the time (Ch. 7).

His business sense commingled with patience, pride, and temperance too. Although longing for freedom and willing to escape, Equiano had seen enough terror on board the slave-trading ship and in England to know the severe penalties for being caught. Being in the charge of a relatively kind slave-master helped Equiano cultivate patience in the midst of oppression, and the author also keenly observed the social and economic customs of the w
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hites while he was a slave. Finally, Equiano recalls the moment that changed his life: "I prayed him to be as good his offer to me, when he was pleased to promise me my freedom as soon as I could purchase it," (Ch. 7).

A b) Equiano was exceptionally lucky throughout his life as a slave and later as an independent and free merchant. In Chapter 2 of his narrative he describes the horrific, hellish sea passage, which "filled me with astonishment, which was soon converted into terror, when I was carried on board." He knew he was "deprived of all chance of returning to my native country," and also "had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty." In addition to hunger and sickness typical of long sea voyages, Equiano witnessed scores of "severe floggings" and the deliberate drowning of the captive crew. He recalls: "I have seen some of these poor African prisoners most severely cut for attempting to do so, and hourly whipped for not eating. This indeed was often the case with myself," (Ch. 2).

Whereas many other slaves he saw were swiftly beaten at the slightest sign of disobedience, Equiano had met with more lenient slave-owners. He recalls a man who tried to hide from his cruel master: "fate did not favor the poor oppressed man; for, being discovered when the vessel was under sail, he was delivered up again to his master,"… READ MORE

Quoted Instructions for "Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated" Assignment:

Essay should answer directly with examples cited from the book (MLA style) the following:

Equiano (even as a slave) went through significant changes and improvements in social/economic conditions and status -

a) what were some ways that & reasons why he started to rise in the world, accumulate moeny and eventually gain his freedom.

b) to what extent was he lucky to be able to do so?

c) to what extent did he cause and earn his improved condition?

ONLY ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS - DO NOT INSERT GENERAL DESCRIPTIVE INFO... SHOW THE RELEVANCE TO WHAT'S BEING DISCUSSED AND EXPLAIN THE DOCUMENTS SIGNIFICANCE TO THE QUESTION.

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Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2006, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.

Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated (2006). Retrieved from https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674
A1-TermPaper.com. (2006). Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated. [online] Available at: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674 [Accessed 5 Oct, 2024].
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[1] ”Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated”, A1-TermPaper.com, 2006. [Online]. Available: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674. [Accessed: 5-Oct-2024].
1. Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated [Internet]. A1-TermPaper.com. 2006 [cited 5 October 2024]. Available from: https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674
1. Olaudah Equiano A) Olaudah Equiano Ironically Participated. A1-TermPaper.com. https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/olaudah-equiano/31674. Published 2006. Accessed October 5, 2024.

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