The Start of Abolition LO: Predicting the events of Equiano’s life BLP: Perseverance Comm: Writing
After seven years, Equiano had grown comfortable with his fate After seven years, Equiano had grown comfortable with his fate. What does that mean? Why has he accepted it?
He was shocked once again when his owner sold him He was shocked once again when his owner sold him. His buyer was Captain James Doran, who was the captain of a ship bound for the West Indies. How do you think Equino felt about his new owner? What could he do about it?
Equiano challenged the sale and told Doran this: “I told him my master could not sell me to him, nor to anyone else. 'Why,' said he, 'did not your master buy you?' I confessed he did. 'But I have served him,' said I, 'many years, besides this I have been baptized, and by the laws of the land no man has a right to sell me.' And I added that I had heard a lawyer and others at different times tell my master so.” Do you think this will change anything?
Doran was not persuaded: “Captain Doran said he had a method on board to make me [behave]. I was too well convinced of his power over me to doubt what he said; and my former sufferings in the slave-ship presenting themselves to my mind, the recollection of them made me shudder.” What might Equiano have been thinking about?
Doran took Equiano back to the Caribbean and sold him on Doran took Equiano back to the Caribbean and sold him on. He was bought by a merchant from Philadelphia named Robert King. King treated Equiano well, but Equiano had tasted freedom and couldn't accept a slave's life anymore. How has Equiano ‘tasted freedom’?
Equiano has secretly been saving up money Equiano has secretly been saving up money. What do you think he planned to do?
Eventually he saved 40 pounds (equal to about £4,500 today) Eventually he saved 40 pounds (equal to about £4,500 today). That was enough to purchase his freedom. Do you think this is a fair amount for a human’s freedom?
“Before night, I who had been a slave in the morning, trembling at the will of another, was become my own master and completely free. I thought this was the happiest day I had ever experienced.” Write down five words to describe how you think Equiano felt?
What do you think happened to Equiano next?
A free man! As a free man, Equiano continued working as a sailor for years. He travelled widely, but his personal struggle against racism and slavery continued.
Equiano became a public speaker in his adopted home of England Equiano became a public speaker in his adopted home of England. In 1789, he wrote his autobiography, The Interesting Narrative of The Life of Olaudah Equiano. It was an immediate best seller! Equiano became England's leading spokesperson for blacks and the abolition of slavery.
Olaudah Equiano died in 1797 Olaudah Equiano died in 1797. Ten years later, Britain and the United States abolished the slave trade.
Your task... You are going to write about Olaudah Equiano. You must write in full sentences and using paragraphs and correct punctuation. You will be given a plan to follow and you can use the information in your books to help you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_O3TWFFmoM
Olaudah Equiano Introduction Explain a bit about the slave trade and the middle passage. Write about Equiano’s background in Africa and how he was captured as child. Paragraph 2 Write about how what Equiano saw on the ship and what his journey might have been like. Describe the slave auction and how you think he must have felt. Paragraph 3 Write about what Equiano’s life was like when he was owned by Mr Pascal: what did he learn; how did he feel? Paragraph 4 Explain how he was sold again and then bought his own freedom. Write about what Equiano did once he was free. Conclusion Your opinion: what do you think about Olaudah Equiano and his life? How important do you think he is? How is he different to other slaves? Can you compare him to Kunta Kinte in ‘Roots’?