1. An Introduction to the World and writing genre of
Olaudah Equiano

2. Olaudah Equiano
Olaudah Equiano was born in West Africa in 1745.
He was kidnapped by another tribe in He was 11 years old.
Olaudah was next sold to white slave traders who put him on a ship for the Americas. This was the first time he saw the ocean.
After ten years of enslavement, he purchased his own freedom.

3. Abolitionism
In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historical movement to end the African and Indian slave trade and set slaves free.
King Charles I of Spain passed a law which would have abolished colonial slavery as early as 1542, although this law was not passed in the largest colonial states, and so was not enforced and the Middle Passage continued.
The Somersett's case in 1772, which emancipated 1 slave in England, helped launch the British movement to abolish slavery.
Though anti-slavery sentiments were widespread by the late 18th century, the colonies and emerging nations that used slave labor continued to do so.

4. Olaudah Equiano, the author
In 1789 at age 44, he wrote and published his strongly abolitionist autobiography:
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African. Written by Himself
One of the first works written in English by a former slave.
The book became a bestseller and, as well as furthering the anti- slavery cause, made Equiano a wealthy man.

5. Video
Oloudah Equiano

6. Writing Genre: Autobiography- Non-Fiction
an account of a person's life written by that person.
Spirituality-
spiritual-ality
Spiritual: of, relating to, or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.
-ality: the condition of being

7. Sub Genres- Spiritual- Autobiography Slave Narrative
These narratives typically have three parts to their plot.
1. Sin
2. Conversion
3. Spiritual Rebirth
Slave Narrative
These also consist of a Three-Part Plot
1. Time in Slavery
2. An Escape
3. Found Freedom
Equiano’s Autobiography helped to create this new sub-genre of writing.

8. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African. Written by Himself
QUICK WRITE:
1. After reading the title, write 1-2 paragraphs analyzing the importance of specific words and phrases:
Interesting life,
Or Gustavus Vassa
The African
Written by himself
2. How do you think this title helped his story stand out from other slave narratives that were written during the time?

9. W.E.B. DuBois’ Duality, a Double- Consciousness
Dual: consisting of two parts
-ality: a condition of being.
Double consciousness- a concept coined by W. E. B. Du Bois that refers to his famous theory of being both African and American. The term originally referred to the psychological challenge of reconsidering an African heritage with a European upbringing in slavery and education.