The Interesting Narratives - Book Report/Review Example

Equiano writes about how fearful his experiences were in that place. He used to feel that there was always someone following him and that his owner could always find out at any time if Equiano did something wrong. His experiences made Equiano question his color to such an extent that he tried to wash his face thinking that might change his color and ultimately the life he was forced to lead. His luck, however, turned and a captain of a British warship, Michael Pascal, bought him. He changed his name to Gustavus Vassa, however he did not want this name and his refusal earned him a lot of beating.

Being a slave of a naval captain Equiano was trained in seamanship and even travelled around with his owner. The Seven Years War with France was in progress during this time. Equiano was Pascal’s personal servant; however, that did not stop his master from making him help out during wars and his work was hauling gunpowder to gun decks. Because Equiano was Pascal’s personal and favorite servant, his master sent him away to his wife’s sister in the Great Britain where he was made to go to school and learn how to read.

It was during this time that Equiano decided he wants to embrace Chiristianity. His master had no issues with that and he was permitted to be baptized. The baptism took place at St Margaret’s, Westminster in February 1759. Although Equiano was treated better than other slaves and often had advantage over others, after the British won the war he did not get any prize money like the other sailors did. Through his new owner Equiano had been able to learn English manners, language and customs – and with all this a possibility of getting free.

However, he suffered a comeback and his owner tricked him and sold him off as a slave in the West Indies, although it is said that Pascal made sure that he was sold off to the best master available since he thought the boy deserved it. Ultimately Equiano was purchased by Captain Doran from where he went on to Robert King. There he had to work on merchant ships for some time after which he managed to save up to buy his freedom by himself. Although he had bought his freedom King urged him to stay back with him and become his partner in business but Equiano was justifiably not sure about it and thought that might be dangerous because of his experiences.

For example, once after his freedom he was kidnapped into slavery again and let go after he had been able to prove his education. This was in the beginning of 20s. The next couple of years he spent as a free person and worked on merchant and military ships. He went to London where he had a great part in the abolitionist movement. This movement was greatly supported by the Quakers but it turned out to be non-denominational by 1787. He travelled a lot around the Atlantic and even went to Arctic.

Often he was on the verge of dying due to several reasons such as illnesses, shipwrecks, and run-ins with whites who often beat him up so badly that they might have taken his life. Eventually, Equiano settled down in England, he married a white girl, Susan Cullen, and had two kids with her. When he died he was rich and respected, and a gentleman. This was a great success considering that he had once been an African slave during the 18th century. Equiano had made several abolitionist friends who gave him all the