from “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” an Autobiography

Objectives: To develop vocabulary and word identification skills To use a variety of reading strategies to comprehend an autobiography To express and support responses to the text To analyze literary elements To increase knowledge of the rules of grammar and usage

Thematic Focus: Meeting of Cultures Slavery gave new meaning the term “free” Meeting cultures often clash People are often absorbed or assimilated into other cultures

Literary Focus: Slave Narratives Uniquely American Exposes horrors of slavery Personal experiences Equiano accounts the middle passage

Reading Strategy: Summarize Briefly state main ideas Briefly recount supporting details Helpful with long passages or selections

Vocabulary: Loathsome – hateful; detestable Pestilential – likely to cause disease Copious – plentiful; abundant Improvident – shortsighted; failing to plan for the future Avarice – greed for riches Pacify – calm; soothe

Grammar & Style Active Subject performs the action Direct Object Example Tom ate cake. Passive Action performed on the subject Performer of action unknown Example The cake was eaten by Tom.

Review: Describes the horrors of the “Middle Passage” (transatlantic voyage) It is a personal narrative Written to sway public opinion about slavery Hardships will always be associated with the slave trade becaue because slaves will always resist captivity Equiano was allowed to stay above deck because of his age Avarice was a major cause of the conditions aboard slave ships Captives are punished by flogging Slaves fear they will be eaten Mariners taught Equiano to use a quadrant When the ship landed, the captives were sold into slavery Equiano’s interests and intelligence would make him a good abolitionist or sailor