He takes advantage of each new situation and has his fellow mariners and owners teach him new skills. He says that he often used his free time to "improve himself" (70). When visiting a new island he speaks of his being able to go "about different parts of the island [ . . . ] gratifying [himself]" (75). He expresses a great amount of autonomy in these actions. He is free to choose his occupations and does so. Though inarguably he is in these places because of his being abducted and put into slavery, Equiano's independent and self-confident attitude makes him see each turn of events as being advantageous to him as an individual. He learns "many of the manoeuvurs [sic] of the ship" he sails on; the knowledge helps him gain a career as a sailor (53).
The extent of Equiano's belief in his freedom is mentioned throughout the book. He asserts again and again that he does not consider himself a slave. He tells the reader that he cannot remember how he came to be purchased by Michael Henry Pasial; he does not "remember" the details or how much Michael paid for him (45). For Olaudah Equiano to purchase his freedom from Michael, he must pay his master back, as law demands. But Equiano doesn't how much he cost Michael. He appears indifferent to the very detail that would enable him to secure his own freedom. The implication is that it is not important to him. He does not consider himself a possession; therefore, he does not have to worry about buying his freedom. He affirms this interpretation when he says, "no man has a right to sell" him (81).
Though he certainly admits to serving his masters throughout the course of the novel,...
He says again and again that he was not forced, but rather had a "wish to serve" (170). The use of "wish" puts the power of choice into Olaudah Equiano's hands: a very un-slave-like attitude. This idea of choice is echoed in his descriptions of how he "shipped" himself on a boat (175, 174). He is not forced upon one boat or another but chooses the vessel of his own accord; he does it to himself.
He sees himself on par with the people who own him. As mentioned earlier, he sees himself as part of their family. He also adopts their religion not because they order it but because he wants to save his own soul. A fellow slave tells him that he "could not go to Heaven unless [he] was baptized" (62). The concern is for his individual benefit. It's not that he can't be saved unless they, the powerful owners, baptize him, but rather only if he takes the initiative and baptizes himself. He also struggles to learn their language and educate himself in their ideals. He works to become more like them daily. His captors aid him in this. Miss Guerins "sent [him] to school" (62). What is intrinsic here is Equiano's belief that he is on enough of a par with his owners that he can be equal with them: he can be educated; he can be saved. He says, "from the various scenes I had beheld on board ship I" became in certain respects "almost an Englishman" (62). Though society may view Equiano as a slave, his actions, words, and attitudes throughout the novel indicate that he does not see himself in the same light.
Works Cited
Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah…
