The Horrors of a Slave Ship
“The Horrors of a Slave Ship,” describes in detail, the tragic experiences of Olaudah Equiano as a captive slave. Equiano suffered many sleepless nights; he was flogged and kidnapped multiple times. In the article, the author is trying to give the reader the feeling by giving details of the brutally floggings and desperation as many slaves suffocated to death as they were placed in an overcrowded deck. Overall, the author tries to give readers their point across of the difficulties in being a captive slave. At age eleven Equiano’s happiness had a turning point as he was kidnapped along with his sister. They were treated brutally and were forced to do dangerous jobs. If orders were not followed, they were flogged unmercifully. Later, they were separated as they served different masters. He later reunited with his sister when they had the same master. They cried of happiness as their mournful days were over; unfortunately, they were torn apart once again. His pain and anxiety was worse of what he had experienced after her fate. Equiano describes the many days he traveled and the frequent change of masters. He was sold back and forth in the West Indies and England. However, he came into a town called Tinmah in Africa. He then served a wealthy widow. Receiving many benefits as in eating with them and being dressed well, he forgot he was a slave and became adopted to the wealthy family. He was kidnapped again; however, this time, he arrived to a ship where slaves were being marketed. There were thousands of slaves chained under the deck as they were going to be shipped over the “Middle Passage” or across the Atlantic Ocean. The slaves suffocated as there was little room to even move or breathe. The filth and heat brought sickness to the people; therefore, they cried and groaned as they slowly died. Equiano preferred his former slavery instead of the situation he was living on the deck. Not only were blacks treated brutally but also the white people that misunderstood