In the 4th paragraph, why might Equiano have included a description of the flogging of a white man?

Question

The Life of Olaudah Equiano

In the 4th paragraph, why might Equiano have included a description of the flogging of a white man?

The interesting narrative of the life of aplaudan Equiano

Asked by Robert H #663787 on 6/12/2017 4:42 PM

Last updated by Ryan D #665432 on 6/19/2017 7:31 PM

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Answered by jill d #170087 on 6/12/2017 6:11 PM

I'm sorry, there is no mention or description of a white man being flogged in the fourth paragraph. Please check your question and correct if necessary.

Answered by Ryan D #665432 on 6/19/2017 7:31 PM

"the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instances of brutal cruelty; and this not only shewn towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves. One white man in particular I saw, when we were permitted to be on deck, flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast, that he died in consequence of it; and they tossed him over the side as they would have done a brute. This made me fear these people the more; and I expected nothing less than to be treated in the same manner"

I think this is just used, like Equiano somewhat explained, to solidify his fear of the "white man". If a white man would treat another white man with such brutality, what attrocities would a black man be met with?

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