Reflection In The Narrative Of The Life Of Olaudah Equiano

Equiano’s Reflection

Slavery is a milestone of history that inflicts emotions and various opinions about what may or may not have occurred. There are many accounts of what took place during slavery, but very few primary sources exist that provide the exact events of what took place. In The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Equiano gives his testimony including his emotions and everything he endured as he overcame slavery. Equiano introduces his childhood and life in chapter one very fluently to make the reader want to continue reading. In chapter one I admired how precisely he describes his place of birth by going into great detail of the division of Africa.

By reading the first chapter of Equiano’s life the reader could

Harriet Jacobs’ story is quite interesting due to the fact that she too is a face of slavery but also a victim of sexual promiscuity. Similar to Equiano’s life Jacobs was introduced to slavery, disappointment, and grief at a young as well. In chapter one we learn that Jacob does not find out that she was born into slavery until her mother’s death, because her mother was never treated as a slave by her mistress. After Jacobs’ mother’s death she is taken into custody by her mother’s mistress who treats Jacobs as if she is her own child. However, after the mistress’ dies Jacobs learns all too soon the spitefulness of slavery. Just as Equiano questions his first master in England that teaches him how to be a gentleman and read but is sold and robbed for his earned money; Jacobs endures the same heartache. Jacob also suffers the misfortunes of her first master when she and her siblings are sold separately to each of her mistress’ relatives. But I was her slave, and I suppose she did not recognize me as her neighbor (Jacobs 503). Jacobs saw her mistress as a mother-figure that taught her about religion and God but forsakes their relationship after her death by willing her to Dr. Flint’s young

Douglass unlike Equiano, but similar to Jacobs is born into slavery. However, similar to both narratives Douglass has little to no bonding with his mother as she dies while he is quite young. Although, Douglass knows who his mother is due to the restrictions of slavery in Maryland his mother is separated from him at his birth. It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland from which I ran away, to part children from their mothers at a very early age (Douglass 522). However, unlike Equiano and Jacobs Douglass is born the son of a white man but has no idea on who he may be. He speaks that rumors have circulated that his father may also be his master, however he cannot distinguish the truth because his mother never has the chance to tell