The Life of Olaudah Equiano
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Dedication
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Themes
All Themes
Culture, Education, and “Civilizing”
Freedom and Slavery
Conversion, Providence, and God’s Will
Commerce and Trade
Selfhood
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa)
Michael Henry Pascal
Symbols
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The Bible
Certificate of Good Behavior
Literary Devices
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Allegory
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Ethos
Foreshadowing
Genre
Imagery
Irony
Logos
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
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Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Verbal Irony
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Chapter 3 Quiz
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano
by
Olaudah Equiano
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Introduction
Intro
Plot Summary
Plot
Summary & Analysis
Dedication
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Themes
All Themes
Culture, Education, and “Civilizing”
Freedom and Slavery
Conversion, Providence, and God’s Will
Commerce and Trade
Selfhood
Quotes
Characters
All Characters
Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa)
Michael Henry Pascal
Symbols
All Symbols
The Bible
Certificate of Good Behavior
Lit Devices
All Literary Devices
Allegory
Allusions
Dramatic Irony
Ethos
Foreshadowing
Genre
Imagery
Irony
Logos
Metaphors
Mood
Motifs
Pathos
Personification
Setting
Similes
Situational Irony
Style
Tone
Verbal Irony
Quizzes
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Dedication Quiz
Preface Quiz
Chapter 1 Quiz
Chapter 2 Quiz
Chapter 3 Quiz
Chapter 4 Quiz
Chapter 5 Quiz
Chapter 6 Quiz
Chapter 7 Quiz
Chapter 8 Quiz
Chapter 9 Quiz
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 11 Quiz
Chapter 12 Quiz
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano: Chapter 4 Quiz
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What change occurs in Equiano's life while with Pascal?
1 of 15
He learns to cook
His fear begins to ebb
He becomes a teacher
His memories of his homeland fade
Why does Equiano feel uneasy upon learning about baptism?
2 of 15
He is afraid of water and thus wants to avoid baptism at all costs
He does not believe in Christianity and resents that it has been forced on him
He worries he won't get into heaven because he hasn't been baptized
He wants to follow his native religion while also embracing Christianity
What does the story about Equiano almost drowning in the Thames illustrate about this period of his life?
3 of 15
His lack of parental guidance
His interest in exploring London
His disregard for the government
All of the above
When Equiano must go to Gibraltar, what does his relocation emphasize about his current situation?
4 of 15
That he has freedom to make his own decisions
That he is a strong and adventurous soul
That he has the ability to avoid the slave trade
That his life is controlled by his Pascal
What does Dick's death suggest about Equiano's friendships?
5 of 15
That his connections are often disrupted by the unpredictability of his life
That it is ultimately impossible for him to make meaningful or lasting friendships
That his friendships are largely superficial or circumstantial
That he can only make friends with sailors on the same ship as him
What does Equiano's participation in battles suggest about his narrative?
6 of 15
It is primarily a travel memoir highlighting sightseeing
It shows his detachment from the conflicts he witnessed
It reflects his affiliation with England
It indicates his desire to return to his homeland
What happens when Pascal and Equiano's ship goes to the Isle of Wight?
7 of 15
The King dies and they stay on the isle longer than expected
Equiano is given time to improve his reading and writing
Neither A nor B
Both A and B
What event bolsters Equiano's belief in the role of Providence in life?
8 of 15
His own narrow escape from death
John Mondle's ability to avoid death because of a prophetic dream
The survival of his ship after being rammed by the Lynne
His baptism and religious instruction from the Miss Guerins
How do Equiano's near-death experiences influence his beliefs?
9 of 15
They lead him to question the existence of God
They reinforce his belief in the randomness of life
They strengthen his faith in the Christian doctrine of Providence
They cause him to turn away from Christianity
What literary genre does Equiano's narrative resemble, especially with its focus on brief episodes and adventures?
10 of 15
Romance novel
Historical biography
Adventure tale
Science fiction
When Equiano is informed that he will be paid in London, what does he plan to do with the money?
11 of 15
He plans to use the money to continue his life as a sailor
He plans to use the money for his education
He plans to use the money to buy his freedom
He plans to use the money to publish a pamphlet
How does Equiano interpret the similarities between the laws of his own country and those in the Bible?
12 of 15
As evidence of cultural appropriation
As a coincidence with no deeper meaning
As a sign of a common origin between white and Black people
As a suggestion of universal salvation through Christianity
What happens to Equiano when the ship arrives in London?
13 of 15
He is promoted to a higher rank on the ship
He is honored for his service on the ship
He leaves the ship to start a new life in London
He is betrayed by Pascal
What does Equiano's argument with Captain James Doran reveal about his situation?
14 of 15
His freedom is guaranteed by his long service and baptism
He is at the mercy of white men regardless of his freedom
His ability to speak English protects him from being sold
His knowledge of English law ensures his release
What does Pascal leave Equiano with?
15 of 15
His personal belongings and documents
A letter of recommendation
Only the nine guineas he has saved
His books and educational materials
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Baena, Victoria. "The Life of Olaudah Equiano."
LitCharts.
LitCharts LLC, 7 Apr 2017. Web. 19 Feb 2025.
Baena, Victoria. "The Life of Olaudah Equiano." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 7 Apr 2017. Web. 19 Feb 2025.
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