During class this week, we analyzed two stories written by the former slaves, Olaudah Equiano and Mary Prince. We discussed how different the two of them were in terms of their experiences and lifestyles.
Olaudah Equiano seemed to have had an easier life of slavery, building relationships with each of his owners. The first one he spoke about was his master Michael, who very soon sent Equiano off to England. At the age of 12, he arrived in England, and met a man named Dick who was an “interpreter” for Equiano. Dick had a young daughter that grew very fond of Equiano and helped him stay in England for a little while longer. And the last relationship he spoke about was Daniel Queen, a man who taught him many things like “to shave and dress hair a little, and also to read in the Bible.”
On the contrary, Mary Prince struggled during her life as a West Indian slave. She opened up about her 17 hour work days, the wounds on her legs from standing in salt all day, and the only meal she was given to eat, which was corn. However, aside from her harsh living conditions, Prince still believed in God and prayed that he would help her get the life that she wanted.
Christianity was one similarity between Equiano and Prince. Prince looked towards God for guidance throughout her lifetime, as well as Equiano once he found his connection with God. Although the two of them lived very different lives, they were both able to maintain hope for the future.
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Nice comparison Mckenna! The two stories are about the same topic yet they branch off and speak of their experiences as slaves differently as you mentioned. I agree form what we were given in Equiano’s excerpt we can only take away that his life as a slave was not as tough as he built good relationships with his masters as well as former slaves who he even can call friends. I think the part where he was taught to read but learnt to read from reading the Bible is very important into tying this stories together. I didn’t think of it that way, so thank you for that insight. Prince’s story is very much different I agree. Like you mentioned her pains and struggles as a slave. Her struggles and anger was very clearly felt in her story with just a picture of that in your head you are left. Lastly I hadn’t taught about how both Equiano and Prince both have “hope” as you said for better times to come. You made some good connections, Great post.
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