Olaudoh+Equiano



=**Olaudah Equiano**= was an upper class native of Nigeria before the slave traders raided his West African village. He endured an incredible life journey that included being bought and sold a number of times. Often, his 'masters' promised him freedom, but it wasn't until he bought his own freedom that he was able to write about the horror of slavery. Many historians believe that it was his autobiography that ultimately put an end to slavery in Europe. (The abolition of slavery in America would take many more years.) His autobiography is one of the most famous and influential works of literature in the entire world. This online selection of important chapters is very reader friendly and tells a touching story of lost family and lost friends, but Olaudah made sure that his voice would not be lost. [|Olaudah Equiano Autobiography]

In your discussion response, you can choose to.. 1. Comment on your personal reaction to his story and what, in particular, feelings his autobiography evokes in you. 2. While many of us have studied slavery in history class, how do the details in this first source autobiography differ from history text books? 3. Why do you believe Olaudah's story did not stop the slave trade in the America's when it was so influential in Europe? 4. What surprises you about the writing style, word choice, or tone of his biography?