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
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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
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Chapter 9 Quiz
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 11 Quiz
Chapter 12 Quiz
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano
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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
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
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano: Chapter 8 Quiz
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What challenge does Equiano face as a worker?
1 of 11
He struggles to complete tasks in a punctual manner
He resents the idea that he doesn't own the means of production
He remains dependent on being hired by someone who will treat him fairly
None of the above
How does Equiano react during the shipwreck?
2 of 11
He stops the crew from trapping the enslaved people in the ship's hatches
He becomes passive and accepts the situation as God’s will
He remains calm and suggests a strategic plan to save the crew
He takes charge of navigation and directs the ship away from danger
How might Equiano's recounting of the aftermath of the shipwreck be described?
3 of 11
As a parody of books like Robinson Crusoe
As a classic 18th-century adventure story
As a Gothic reinterpretation of a slave narrative
All of the above
How does Equiano view the role of dreams in his life?
4 of 11
He sees dreams as a way for him to interpret God's message
He sees dreams as insignificant
He views dreams as a source of confusion
He believes dreams predict the future
What can be implied about the narrative's portrayal of Equiano's role amongst the crew after the shipwreck?
5 of 11
It can be implied that the crew still sees Equiano as inferior and unfit to assist in their survival
It can be implied that Equiano is unsure of how to best steer the crew to safety
It can be implied that authority should be based on physical fitness
It can be implied that the crew transcends racist stereotypes and relies heavily on Equiano's intelligence
When Equiano and the crew encounter another ship, was does that ship's captain think of them?
6 of 11
He thinks they are all formerly enslaved people who have run away
He thinks they are government officials on a colonizing mission
He thinks they are pirates
He thinks they are whalers
How does the narrative depict Equiano's perspective on sailing?
7 of 11
Equiano is overconfident and dismissive of the dangers of sailing
Equiano is shown as inexperienced and fearful of the sea
Equiano relies solely on God and disregards natural elements
Equiano acknowledges the treacherous and unpredictable nature of the sea
What reasoning does Equiano have for avoiding locations like Jamaica?
8 of 11
He fears unknown territories and prefers to stay in familiar places
Equiano associates the West Indies with slavery and harsh treatment
He is drawn to the adventure and excitement of new places
He prefers to avoid sea voyages altogether due to his past traumatic experiences
How does Equiano's knowledge of the law and his rights affect the situation with the patrolmen when he's staying with Mosa?
9 of 11
His lack of knowledge about the law leads to his immediate arrest
Equiano's awareness of his rights and the law intimidates the patrolmen
The patrolmen are impressed by his legal knowledge and offer him a position of authority
His knowledge of the law is disregarded completely, and he is treated unjustly
What does Equiano use to protect himself when two white men try to trick him in Savannah?
10 of 11
His fists and his impressive frame
His knowledge of French
His education and savviness
His access to money
Why does a Black woman whose child has died ask Equiano to perform its burial service?
11 of 11
Because no white person will perform the service
Because she recognizes him as a preacher
Because she respects his oratory skills
Because she thinks he has money
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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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