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
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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
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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
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The Life of Olaudah Equiano: Chapter 9 Quiz
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What is a major obstacle for Equiano in recovering his money from Phillips?
1 of 10
His lack of legal rights
Phillips left the country
He lost his proof of lending the money
Phillips had no money to pay back
Why does Equiano feel degraded when asked to "advertise" himself before leaving St. Kitt's?
2 of 10
He is financially incapable of paying for the advertisement
It is a requirement usually meant for enslaved people
He does not know anyone on the ship
The captain personally dislikes him
What surprises Equiano upon his arrival in London?
3 of 10
Pascal's immediate apology for betraying him
The fact that Pascal tries to hide from him
His inability to find Miss Guerins
The immediate payment of his wages
What does Equiano's decision to become a hairdresser and later join a ship to Turkey signify?
4 of 10
His ongoing struggle with how to make a living as a free man
His lack of interest in pursuing higher education
His embrace of commercial European society and his industriousness
A desire to return to his life at sea permanently
Why are sea voyages significant to Equiano's life as a free man?
5 of 10
They are his only means of escape from legal troubles
They are mandated by his employment contracts
They allow him to return to his homeland
They offer him opportunities for world travel and financial gain
Which of the following events does NOT occur during Equiano's travels after leaving Turkey?
6 of 10
Witnessing an eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Encountering the plague in Smyrna
Participating in Carnival in Portugal
Being caught in a severe storm at sea
What strategy does Equiano use to confront a man in the West Indies who refuses to pay after taking some of his goods?
7 of 10
He takes legal action through the courts
He accepts the man's refusal and leaves quietly
He allies with white sailors to whom the man also owes money
He uses physical force to retrieve his goods
How has Equiano's variety of experiences as a sailor and formerly enslaved person influenced his beliefs?
8 of 10
It has led him to reject all forms of religion and spirituality
It has caused him to focus solely on accumulating wealth
It has led him to embrace Christianity and the concept of Providence
It has led him to develop a belief in the importance of self-reliance above all else
When Equiano writes about navigating dangerous sheets of ice in Greenland, what impact does the story have on his overall narrative?
9 of 10
It once again establishes the narrative as an adventure story
It highlights the dangers of ever setting foot on a boat
It frames the narrative as a comedic look at the life of a sailor
It presents the narrative as a parody of white European foolhardiness
When the crew is in danger of being trapped by ice, what significant change does Equiano observe in his fellow sailors?
10 of 10
They become more focused on their commercial goals
Former blasphemers begin to call on God for help
The sailors start blaming each other for their situation
The crew abandons all hope and give up trying to escape
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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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