Teacher Guide

The Life of Olaudah Equiano Lesson Plan

Introduction to The Life of Olaudah Equiano

The Life of Olaudah Equiano (or the full title, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African) is the memoir of Olaudah Equiano's life. In his lifetime he was known as Gustavus Vassa, the name that one of his masters imposed on him while he was enslaved.

The narrative follows his journey from childhood, when he is kidnapped from his home in Igboland. He is handed off to several different owners until he is taken across the Atlantic, experiencing the horrific Middle Passage. He is taken to the West Indies, but not long after he is sold to an English naval officer. He has an unusual life for a slave in that he never ends up doing field work, but...

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