Mary Prince Olaudah Equiano Analysis
Mary Prince and Olaudah Equiano: Two Slave Variations
Slavery, it has a clear presence throughout history and it paints a disgusting picture of humanity. Many of the cruelties suffered were written down as slave narratives; these narratives provide a glimpse into the lives of slaves. Additionally, the narratives beg for equality through their experiences. Two narratives that detail the experiences of the author’s life well are The History of Mary Prince and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Written By Himself. Both Mary Prince and Olaudah Equiano’s work depicts their youth, and treatment while also expressing the contrasts in their experiences, such as their freedom and eventual escape …show more content…
In fact, Prince initially says, “This was the happiest period of my life; for I was too young to understand rightly my condition as a slave” (Prince 588). Prince loves her mistress and she is happy to live her life oblivious to her “condition” (Prince 588). Unfortunately, Prince’s life soon turned into sorrow as her mistress dies and her pain is simply “too great to be comforted” (Prince 588). Upon her mistresses passing, Prince is sold for the first time. This evokes a new feeling of sadness in her; she says, “Oh dear! I cannot bear to think of that day, – it is too much. – It recalls the great grief that filled my heart, and the woeful thoughts that passed to and fro through my mind” (Prince 589). Prince grew up with an easier childhood, which got significantly harder as she got older; likewise, the same is true for …show more content…
Prince is desperatlely heartbroken when she is separated from her family saying, “I thought my young heart would break, it pained me so” (Prince 588). Perhaps even more heartbreaking is her reflection on the abuse she endured. Prince describes her abuse so vividly that readers can feel the pain. Her master flogs her, hits her with a boot, and beats her until she cannot stand. While she ultimately runs away, her father forces her to return, only to suffer five more years of beatings (Prince 592-93).
Ten and three, these are significant numbers for Equiano as they relate not only to his treatment, but also at times, to his identity. Equiano was sold ten times throughout the course of his enslavement and during that time, he went through three name changes (Equiano). Perhaps the most memorable aspect of his inhumane treatment occurred during his passage from Africa. An overall confusing experience, many of the slaves did not understand the “strangers” on the ship. All of the slaves were forced to ride below deck on top of one another. According to Equiano, the worst part of the journey was the stench. He
Slavery, it has a clear presence throughout history and it paints a disgusting picture of humanity. Many of the cruelties suffered were written down as slave narratives; these narratives provide a glimpse into the lives of slaves. Additionally, the narratives beg for equality through their experiences. Two narratives that detail the experiences of the author’s life well are The History of Mary Prince and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Written By Himself. Both Mary Prince and Olaudah Equiano’s work depicts their youth, and treatment while also expressing the contrasts in their experiences, such as their freedom and eventual escape …show more content…
In fact, Prince initially says, “This was the happiest period of my life; for I was too young to understand rightly my condition as a slave” (Prince 588). Prince loves her mistress and she is happy to live her life oblivious to her “condition” (Prince 588). Unfortunately, Prince’s life soon turned into sorrow as her mistress dies and her pain is simply “too great to be comforted” (Prince 588). Upon her mistresses passing, Prince is sold for the first time. This evokes a new feeling of sadness in her; she says, “Oh dear! I cannot bear to think of that day, – it is too much. – It recalls the great grief that filled my heart, and the woeful thoughts that passed to and fro through my mind” (Prince 589). Prince grew up with an easier childhood, which got significantly harder as she got older; likewise, the same is true for …show more content…
Prince is desperatlely heartbroken when she is separated from her family saying, “I thought my young heart would break, it pained me so” (Prince 588). Perhaps even more heartbreaking is her reflection on the abuse she endured. Prince describes her abuse so vividly that readers can feel the pain. Her master flogs her, hits her with a boot, and beats her until she cannot stand. While she ultimately runs away, her father forces her to return, only to suffer five more years of beatings (Prince 592-93).
Ten and three, these are significant numbers for Equiano as they relate not only to his treatment, but also at times, to his identity. Equiano was sold ten times throughout the course of his enslavement and during that time, he went through three name changes (Equiano). Perhaps the most memorable aspect of his inhumane treatment occurred during his passage from Africa. An overall confusing experience, many of the slaves did not understand the “strangers” on the ship. All of the slaves were forced to ride below deck on top of one another. According to Equiano, the worst part of the journey was the stench. He