they tossed the remaining fish into the sea again, although we begged and prayed for some as well we cold, but in vain
Did any of the crewmen actually feel sorry for knowing they had enough food for the slaves but didnt feed them? Did anyone at least try to speak out or help them in anyway, or did they all just stand back and allow this?
At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel.
How did the slaves think the trip was going to go? Did they think they would be treated differently or that they would at least be allowed on deck?
I envied them the freedom they enjoyed, and as often wished I could change my condition for theirs.
question 10. At this time slavery was normal, this was their culture. But my reaction or interpretation was definitely different. I for one could not imagine being a slave and having to endure these obstacles. Having to envy someone of their freedom. But I also could not imagine being the slave owner and treating someone with so much hate, or treating them as if they were less important than myself.
In this situation I expected every hour to share the fate of my companions, some of whom were almost daily brought upon deck at the point of death, which I began to hope would soon put an end to my miseries.
quesntion 9. The article tells us that the the society at this time were very hateful. That they watched people dying daily or killed some of the slaves, and the slaves were treated so badly they hoped to be put out of the misery soon instead of having to endure the pain and torture of the crew or slave owners.
Every circumstance I met with served only to render my state more painful, and heighten my apprehensions, and my opinion of the cruelty of the whites. One day they had taken a number of fishes; and when they had killed and satisfied themselves with as many as they thought fit, to our astonishment who were on the deck, rather than give any of them to us to eat, as we expected, they tossed the remaining fish into the sea again
question 8. This document was written in 1789 at a time slavery and seeing oneself having more importance than another human being. Slavery was normal during this time, so rather than feeding slaves they wanted to make them starve as if they were undeserving.
During our passage I first saw flying fishes, which surprised me very much: they used frequently to fly across the ship, and many of them fell on the deck. I also now first saw the use of the quadrant. I had often with astonishment seen the mariners make observations with it, and I could not think what it meant. They at last took notice of my surprise; and one of them, willing to increase it, as well as to gratify my curiosity, made me one day look through it. The clouds appeared to me to be land, which disappeared as they passed along. This heightened my wonder: and I was now more persuaded than ever that I was in another world, and that every thing about me was magic. At last we came in sight of the island of Barbadoes, at which the whites on board gave a great shout, and made many signs of joy to us.
question 7. Another perspective to take into account is that they were locked down below the ships main surface and one of the crew members noticed Olaudahs curiosity of looking out the ship so he allowed him to. Makes me begin to think this may not of been to be nice, but to remind him of how little freedom he has. How his only time to experience this is while being enslaved looking out, and not being able to experience this in the way that the crew members could.
Those of us that were the most active were, in a moment, put down under the deck; and there was such a noise and confusion amongst the people of the ship as I never heard before, to stop her, and get the boat to go out after the slaves.
question 6. the voices in this document that were omitted were those of the other slaves. He discusses the shrieks and groans of the slaves dying but that is all.
In this harrowing description of the Middle Passage, Olaudah Equiano described the terror of the transatlantic slave trade. Equiano eventually purchased his freedom and lived in London where he advocated for abolition.
question 5. This document was written for the public.
two of my wearied countrymen, who were chained together (I was near them at the time), preferring death to such a life of misery, somehow made through the nettings, and jumped into the sea: immediately another quite dejected fellow, who, on account of his illness, was suffered to be out of irons, also followed their example; and I believe many more would soon have done the same, if they had not been prevented by the ship’s crew, who were instantly alarmed.
question4. The importance of this article was to show that many of these slaves would have preferred to jump to their deaths than to be on this ship any longer with the crew who treated them like absolute trash.
At last, when the ship we were in had got in all her cargo, they made ready with many fearful noises, and we were all put under deck, so that we could not see how they managed the vessel. But this disappointment was the least of my sorrow. The stench of the hold while we were on the coast was so intolerably loathsome, that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air; but now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together, it became absolutely pestilential.
question 3. this articles idea was to show that they were fearful, how they were treated, how some died, and to inform others of the terrifying trip to the new world was for these slaves.
However, two of the wretches were drowned, but they got the other, and afterwards flogged him unmercifully, for thus attempting to prefer death to slavery. In this manner we continued to undergo more hardships than I can now relate; hardships which are inseparable from this accursed trade. – Many a time we were near suffocation, from the want of fresh air, which we were often without for whole days together. This, and the stench of the necessary tubs, carried off many.
question 2. this articles purpose was to inform others of the horrible things that the slaves on the passage endured during their trip. how they were treated and how they felt during this time.
Olaudah Equiano Describes the Middle Passage, 1789
question 1. this was written by Olaudah Equiano in 1789 and describes the transit to the new world.
floggings
beat (someone) with a whip or stick as punishment or torture.
pestilential
relating to or tending to cause infectious diseases.
floggings.
beat (someone) with a whip or stick as punishment or torture.