English 302 

May 18, 2020 

Throughout the eighteenth century, slavery was in full effect. During this time slave trading was common. In the 18^th Century people were captured from Africa and forced into slavery. Slaves were dehumanized and treated with violence. Slaves had to labor and work on plantations, one popular plantation was cotton. A lot of beneficial goods came from cotton. Sugar plantation was also produced during slavery around the 1830’s. Sugar was Britain’s largest import through 1750’s and 1820’s. Sugar plantation was a large business. Slaves were usually brought from Africa to the west indies to work on sugar plantation. Then African slaves would mainly work in agriculture on plantations. Every slave labored; Slaves were assigned different duties. Slaves usually worked for no pay. Some owners would use slaves for entertainment, dancing and singing. Slavery was crucial to American and it led the way to war. Around the 1860’s the number of slaves in United States increased. Slaves had to work under pressure; they were treated with cruelty. Slaves suffered; freedom was taken away from them. Slaves were forced to work and follow instructions, if not they would get beaten. Slaves were forced to live on the worst conditions. Slaves lived in a crowded place with barely any room to breathe.  If slaves didn’t work, they would get whippings and tortured. Masters would beat them violently, rape and abuse the slaves to get them to work.  

Oroonoko was written by Aphra Behn in 1688. The novel of Oroonoko is a perfect example of suffrage during slavery. Oroonoko’s life was a complete tragedy. Major themes in Oroonoko are betrayal, race and slavery. Oroonoko was an African prince from Coramantien, who was tricked and captured into slavery. The captain in the ship tricked Oroonoko into becoming a slave. Prince Oroonoko was educated in Europe, he falls in love with the beautiful Imoinda. Oroonoko’s  grandfather who is the king finds out about Imoinda and Oroonoko’s romance. The grandfather finds out about Imoinda beauty and sold her into slavery. Then the grandfather regrets what he did and hopes Oroonoko won’t seek revenge. Oroonoko is brought to Suriname, where he becomes a slave. It’s harsh Oroonoko was once a Prince and had people obeying him. Oroonoko had it all and people admired him; One day everything vanished gone.  Then, Oroonoko was sold into slavery. Oroonoko’s novel symbolizes that slavery was caused a lot of abuse not only physical; but also, mental abuse. Oroonoko embodies slavery; having freedom and one day being owned by someone. Oroonoko like most slaves don’t harm the captain. It’s illustrated in this quote “Farewel, sir, ’tis worth my sufferings, to gain so true a knowledge both of you, and of your gods by whom you swear”.  Even if Oroonoko suffered he found out, who was the captain. What distinguish Oroonoko from others is that he was educated in Europe. Oroonoko was portrayed as a good man; this text highlights Oroonoko’s death “Thus died this great man”. Oroonoko represents an Arc character because, he ended somewhere else at the end of the story.  

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano presents a message of the abuse in slavery. Olaudah Equiano was kidnaped when he was just a child. Equiano sister was also captured and tortured. Olaudah Equiano felt horror, feared he was going to get killed.  In the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano; Equiano some slaves jumped out of the boat, because of the torture they were forced to live.  Equiano was not only physically tortured; he also viewed slaves kill themselves as a child. The abuse was awful, many slaves rather face death. Equiano had no escape and was forced into slavery.  In the Interesting Narrative; Olaudah Equiano describes journey as nightmare. As a slave Olaudah Equiano was sold a couple of times.  Olaudah Equiano is a strong character who is approaching change. Olaudah Equiano Interesting narrative is written for the white audience. Freedom to Olaudah Equiano means work and honor. The conception of freedom to Olaudah Equiano is to earn money. When writing his narrative, Olaudah Equiano gets his freedom. Olaudah Equiano had to make choices in order to get his freedom. Olaudah Equiano describes the situation in the ship; Equine uses imagery “The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us”. The narrator gives details about the number of slaves in a ship. The narrator describes the condition the slaves are in; they are barely able to breath. The imagery the speaker uses help readers to understand the slave’s pain. The narrator uses the word “number” describing the number of slaves gathered in one place.  Olaudah Equiano achieve his freedom by buying it; Olaudah Equiano works for himself.  

Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a poetry. In the poem “On Being Brought from Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley, Wheatley describes her experience being brought from Africa to America. Phillis Wheatley was brought into America she was sold into slavery. Wheatley’s poem is ironic, she starts with the lines  “Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,”. She uses the word mercy. Mercy means compassion and forgiveness.  The word “pagan Land” refers to Africa. Africa its Wheatley’s homeland, where she has freedom. She was brought from her “pagan land” to America. Wheatley continues “Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. Some view our sable race with scornful eye, Their colour is a diabolic die.” People viewed her race has a “diabolic die” she was viewed as sinful. Wheatley poem depicts her experience as a slave.  

Work cited 

Aphra, Behn. Oroonoko, Penguin.2003 

Equiano, Olaudah, and Vincent Carretta. The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings. Penguin Books, 2003. 

Phillis Wheatley, On Being Brought from Africa to America