Olaudah Equiano

             Olaudah Equiano's life as a slave would have never been known to the world if he.
             His narrativem "The Interesting Narrative of the Life.
             of Olaudah Equiano, recounts his life in Africa, his service as the slave of an officer in the.
             British Navy, and his years of labor on slave ships until he was able to purchase his.
             freedom. During that time, he also learned the English language that helped him to record.
             his horrific experiences of slavery. His story gives us a clear view of slavery in America;.
             the condition of slavery on the Caribbean islands, the character of the white overseers, the.
             desire for an education, and the dehumanization of slavery. .
             His story is similar in nature to "A Narrative of the Captivity" written by Mary.
             Rowlandson. Although both narratives describe harrowing experiences; Rowlandson was.
             taken from her home as was Equiano and both of them lost family members, "The.
             Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano" delivers a much more dreadful.
             representation of life in captivity. Equiano was taken from his home when he was only.
             eleven years old. He wrote about his attempt to yell out, his being bound, mouth gagged.
             and separated from his sister and placed aboard a slave ship. He described his contact and.
             fear of white Europeans and told of his anger at them as he was chained together with.
             other Africans on the long voyage to America. He described the packing of people in the.
             filth of the ship hold, the deaths from diseases, the forced feedings, and cruel treatment. .