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
All Symbols
The Bible
Certificate of Good Behavior
Literary 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
All Quizzes
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
Download PDF
Download Teacher Edition
AI Tools
New
Tools to make learning and teaching easier
Got It
AI Tools
Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator
Guides
Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms
AI Tools
New
Tools to make learning and teaching easier
Got It
AI Tools
Ask LitCharts AI
Discussion Question Generator
Essay Prompt Generator
Quiz Question Generator
Guides
Literature Guides
Poetry Guides
Shakespeare Translations
Literary Terms
Sign In
Sign up for A
+
Sign up
The Life of Olaudah Equiano
by
Olaudah Equiano
PDF
Upgrade to A
+
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
All Quizzes
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
Theme Wheel
Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Get instant help with LitCharts AI
New
Back to Guide
Previous
Chapter 5 Quiz
The Life of Olaudah Equiano: Chapter 6 Quiz
17 questions
Next
Chapter 7 Quiz
Get 3 quizzes by
signing up
for a free account
Test your knowledge of Chapter 6. Submit your answers to see your results and get feedback.
What aspect of Equiano's character is enslavement unable to suppress?
1 of 17
His capacity for logical thinking
His ability to think creatively
His sense of curiosity and wonder
His sense of humor
What is the initial outcome of Equiano's relationship with Captain Thomas Farmer?
2 of 17
Equiano is allowed to leave the harbor with Farmer's ship
Equiano is promoted to a higher rank on Farmer's ship
Farmer sells Equiano to another shipowner
Equiano manages to escape while working for Farmer
How does Equiano start his venture into commerce?
3 of 17
By borrowing a large sum of money
By buying a tumbler and selling it for profit
By investing in the slave trade
By partnering with a white merchant
What does Equiano's experience in Santa Cruz reveal about the challenges he faces in commerce?
4 of 17
He faces no significant challenges due to his skill in trade
He experiences more scrutiny than other merchants
He struggles with language barriers and cultural differences
He faces systematized inequality and a lack of trust due to his race
Why does Captain Farmer lend money to Equiano at St. Kitt's?
5 of 17
To invest in a new business venture
To buy a Bible
To pay for his passage to another destination
To purchase supplies for the ship
What is Equiano's mindset regarding his freedom during this period?
6 of 17
He believes it is unattainable and gives up hope
He is determined to achieve it through any means necessary
He is conflicted between accepting his fate and striving for freedom
None of the above
Why does Equiano want to go to Philadelphia?
7 of 17
It is known for its commercial opportunities
He has family waiting for him in Philadelphia
He is hoping to find better employment there
He wants to join the abolitionist movement
What realization does Equiano come to regarding the lives of free Black people?
8 of 17
Their living conditions can sometimes be worse than those of enslaved people
They are secure in their freedom and face no threats
They are often more prosperous and respected than poor white people
They are usually welcomed into mainstream society
Why does Equiano decide to learn about navigation?
9 of 17
To become a captain of his own ship
To teach others on the ship
As a strategic move to improve his chances escaping
Out of pure interest in the subject
What decision does Equiano make when presented with an opportunity to sail to Europe?
10 of 17
He leaves his enslaver to join the merchant ship
He decides to plot his revenge against his enslaver
He negotiates with the merchant ship for a better position
None of the above
What role does religion play in Equiano's life during his difficult circumstances?
11 of 17
It is a source of conflict and confusion
It provides him with guidance and a way to persist
It has no significant impact on his decisions
It leads him to question his own beliefs and values
What is King's initial concern when preparing for the voyage to Philadelphia?
12 of 17
That Equiano will not work hard enough
That Equiano will not be able to handle the work
That Equiano will cause trouble on the ship
That Equiano is planning to run away in Philadelphia
What does Equiano do upon arriving in Philadelphia?
13 of 17
He successfully sells his goods and makes money
He immediately looks for ways to escape
He struggles to sell his goods
He focuses solely on learning more about navigation
What happens to Equiano in Georgia?
14 of 17
He is sold to a new enslaver
He is overworked and nearly dies of a fever
He attempts to escape but is caught
He is promoted to a higher position on the ship
What can be said about Equiano's business dealings?
15 of 17
They are tragically ironic because his financial success depends on the use of slave ships
They are morally impermissible because they lead him to actively participate in the slave trade
They are unremarkable because he doesn't make enough money to buy his own freedom
They are unique because nobody else has thought to sell the wares he peddles
What happened to Equiano in Georgia with Dr. Perkins?
16 of 17
He was unfairly accused of a crime and arrested
He was beaten by Dr. Perkins until he was nearly dead
He was offered a job by Dr. Perkins
He successfully negotiated a business deal with Dr. Perkins
Who nurses Equiano back to health after his ordeal in Georgia?
17 of 17
Farmer
Dr. Perkins
The jail authorities
A group of fellow enslaved people
Submit
Cite This Page
Choose citation style:
MLA
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.
Copy to Clipboard
Get 3 quizzes a month with a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to take a quiz
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Previous
Chapter 5 Quiz
Previous
Chapter 5 Quiz
Next
Chapter 7 Quiz
Next
Chapter 7 Quiz
Cite This Page
Company
About Us
Our Story
Jobs
Support
Help Center
Contact Us
Connect
Facebook
Twitter
Legal
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Privacy Request
Home
About
Contact
Help
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Terms
Privacy
Privacy Request
Save time. Stress less.
Sign up!
AI Tools
for on-demand study help and teaching prep.
Quote explanations,
with page numbers, for over 46,177 quotes.
PDF downloads
of all 2,080 LitCharts guides.
Expert analysis
to take your reading to the next level.
Advanced search
to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Quizzes, saving guides, requests,
plus so much more.
Expert analysis
to take your reading to the next level.
Advanced search
to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Quizzes, saving guides, requests,
plus so much more.
Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account
You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to request a guide
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account.
You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to access notes and highlights
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.
Saving guides requires a free LitCharts account
Easily access your saved guides anytime.
Continue with Google
Continue with Google
or
Email
Password (at least 8 characters)
By checking here you agree to our
Terms of Service
and have read our
Privacy Policy
.
Complete your free account to save guides
Username
I am a:
Select one
Birthday
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Get email updates when we add new guides and features. Unsubscribe at any time.