The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano - Essay Example

It mirrored the horrifying slave trade by Europeans for the first time, because many did not know its history. Even though he was a mere boy when he left Africa, it does not prevent him from reminiscing about his village: "Our village is exercised in a large plain or common, some hours walk from our dwellings, and all the neighbors resort thither in a body. They use no beasts of husbandry and their only instruments are hoes, axes, shovels and beaks, or pointed iron to dig with," (p. 38). He says they are 'a nation of dancers, musicians, and poets' with simple manners(p.14). He was grateful for personal deliverance from slavery; but Trans-Atlantic slavery, its naked facts and America's role rendered deep anguish to him and he denounced his own countrymen for aiding and abetting.

He continued as a strong abolitionist, and was unable to forget tortures of fellow slaves in Monserrat and his contact with Lord Mansfield remained beneficial. He thought Atlantic slavery resulted in horrifying human misery. Meeting free Africans was a painful reminder of slaves across continents to him. He urged free Africans to refrain from helping slave traders. The North American Colonies and Caribbean were still expor. Equiano dedicated his life for the abolition of this agony. While doing so, he had been very practical.

He suggests alternatives to Britain, so that her wealth does not get diminished by abolishing slavery. He knew that it was impossible to face mighty Europeans and Africa neither had money nor military power. He suggests that trading with America could be beneficial for England and slavery is not the only way of amass wealth. "It is trading upon safe grounds. A commercial intercourse with Africa opens an inexhaustible source of wealth to the manufacturing interests of Great Britain and to all which the slave-trade is an objection," (p.234). He knew that trading countries like Britain, America, Portugal, Spain, France would not give up their profits and he was diplomatically showing them another way of earning money, even after 'the abolition of slavery, so diabolical'.

He tries to persuade them to adopt the alternative course. "If I am not misinformed, the manufacturing interest is equal, if not superior, to the landed interest, as to the value, for reasons which will soon appear," (p.234). He was the first political leader of Britain's black community and wrote first-ever slave autobiography, which fuelled the anti-slavery movement. He intended his work to open the eyes of the world against degrading and distressing slavery, even though he was not personally subjected to all horrors of slavery and comparatively was treated well by his masters, he was aware of the dreadful life of slaves in American continent.

Fortunately, he became a literate, and reading his book, one could easily deduce that he had the capability of writing for readers. He touches the very core of human nature and justice. "I hope to have the satisfaction of