Olaudah Equiano was born in 1745 on the territory of Nigeria, and when he was eleven, someone kidnaped him and sold to slave traders who traveled to West India. Later, Equiano spent a small part of his life in Virginia, but he worked as a captain’s assistant on ships and British naval vessels most of the time. Throughout the character’s life, he had to see many masters who entrusted him with various tasks.
Henry Pascal, a captain of a British travel vessel, was Equiano’s first master, who named him Gustavas Vassa. Olaudah Equiano spent his teenage years with Henry, and his slavery life did not forbid him to study. With the first master, Equiano took part in Seven Years War against France. Later, Henry resold Olaudah, and his new master became Robert King. This master allowed Equiano to work in stores and spend more time working in the trading industry. Over three years, Olaudah managed to purchase his own freedom.
Once, an elderly female slave asked Equiano to take care of chickens. However, he accidentally killed one by throwing a small piece of stone. The old woman got angry and said that Equiano would be beaten. He began to fear and was ready for death. However, in the morning, the woman called down and asked the master to be kind to Olaudah. The attitude towards the slaver became undermined, but Equiano managed to make amends.
The travel from Africa to Barbados was difficult, beginning from learning English and finishing with payment for the freedom. Every master gave the basis for moving towards the main goal, and circumstances developed in Equiano’s favor, so his life was not tied to one master (Jowitt & Pam, 2021). A huge desire helped the slaver become free and gain what he wanted. Olaudah Equiano found the love of his life who gave him two daughters, and the rest of the days, he lived freely and surrounded by love.
Reference
Jowitt, D., & Pam, K. (2021). Aspect of Equiano’s travels, the autobiography of a Nigerian in late eighteenth-century England. World Englishes.