Short Essay 4

            Olaudah Equiano's narrative offers insight into the life of an African slave working and living at sea.  Equiano experiences unimaginable hardships throughout his life, yet persevered in the most dire of circumstances.  The inhumane treatment he encountered during his travels would have broken the average man, but Equiano found strength consistently through God, especially towards the end of his story.  Despite the arduous journey that Equiano managed to survive through, his account offers a point of view unique to an African slave during the 18th century. 

            After reading Equiano's story, if he were to face capture and given a choice between impressment into the British Navy or serve time at Dartmoor prison, he would have easily chosen a sentence and entered Dartmoor prison.  Although Equiano was a Fatalist, serving in the Royal Navy would have uncertainties in store for him that would lead to a life of future torment.  Even though his life as a sailor was extremely difficult at times; being flogged, being cheated, encountering dangerous voyages, and being inhumanely treated, naming a few.  If Equiano was justly captured, chances are his shipmates were also captured alongside with him.  He was generally liked for his kindness and skill at sea when it came to some of his shipmates.  Living in prison with people he knew would certainly be a brighter alternative than becoming a slave for the Royal Navy. 

            Equiano managed to rise through the ranks throughout his career as a seaman.  The opportunities that were presented to him at sea were numerous and advantageous.  Despite the economic mobility that Equiano was able to attain as a seafarer, many personal improvements were able to be had as well.  "...for I always had a great desire to be able to at least read and write; and while I was on ship-board I had endeavoured to improve myself in both."  (Equiano, 79)  He managed to acquire beneficial relationships several times throughout his life where he would be able to learn from them.  His English improved to the astonishment of some of the ruffians or rogues he encountered that desired to cheat him, either out of his money, material goods, or his freedom.  One of the most important achievements Equiano was able to accomplish was the purchase of his freedom.  Had he not become a skilled seafarer through his career as a sailor, he might not have been able to attain the funds needed for such a pricy feat.  Although being a free black man was still a difficult life, this seemed to bring the most joy to him throughout his entire life (Equiano, 135-137). 

            Equiano's life at sea benefitted him in the long run.  He was able to improve his education, self worth, finances, and religious beliefs.  He made friends throughout his travels, and lived his life justly in his understanding of his faith.  His decision to be imprisoned at Dartmoor would have been quick and righteous.  There would be no chance he would have fought against those who offered these improvements in his life, especially when facing fellow sailors.  Although the same people who offered him kindness were also the ones enforcing cruelty, Equiano was a Black Jack, and serving the Royal Navy would conflict in his personal and religious interests.

             Ironically, Equiano could not swim, yet he loved sailing and found himself elated whenever on board a ship (Equiano, 167-167).  Whenever he found himself in financial strain, he looked to the sea and knew of the potential it offered.  "I thought it best, therefore, to try the sea again in quest of more money, as I had been bred to it, and had hitherto found the profession of it successful."  (Equiano, 169)  Bolster mentions Equiano in being a prime example of a Black Jack, who was able to become skilled at seafaring, which allowed him the eventual purchase of his freedom (Bolster, 137 & 143).  If Equiano embarked into a different field, his narrative would not have been written.

Bolster, W. J. (1997). Black Jacks. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Eversley, Shelley. (2004). The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Or Gustavas Vassa, The African. Westminster: Random House, Incorporated.