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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. After accidentally killing an animal with a pebble, what does Equiano do?

2. When Equiano is sick in London, what treatment does the doctor recommend that Equiano refuses?

3. After the English win the battle at Gibraltar, some French ships go aground. What happens to them?

4. What skill of Equiano's makes his second West Indies owner think that Equiano might make a good clerk?

5. Why do Eboe merchants kiss the food they are offering for sale?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does being sold in the New World seem to differ from being sold in Africa?

2. How does the description of military life in Chapter 3 reflect on English culture?

3. What is the effect on the reader of Equiano's emphasis on his early impressions of white people (that they are magic, devils, etc.)?

4. Why do you think Farmer wants to help Equiano?

5. Why is it ironic that Equiano goes with Pascal to help him find men to force into military service?

6. Why does Equiano believe that the end of the war means he will be free?

7. List two important concepts in Eboe religion, as Equiano describes it.

8. According to Equiano, what is slavery in the West Indies like?

9. Who is John Mondle and what is his significance?

10. Describe the system of slavery practiced among the Eboe people.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The word "interesting" as used in the title of The Interesting Narrative would have had at least two meanings for eighteenth-century readers. "Interesting" would have meant, as it still does today, something like "entertaining" or at least "not boring." In addition, "interesting" would have meant something like "sympathetic." In other words, it would have meant that the narrative was likely to make the readers "interested in" or sympathetic to Equiano. Based on the title, then, the autobiography has the dual goals of entertaining the reader and making the reader sympathize with the author. How well does the book achieve these two goals?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of family throughout Equiano's Narrative.

Essay Topic 3

There are several ship wrecks and other dangerous encounters on the seas described in The Interesting Narrative. What is the overall effect of these descriptions on readers? Compare at least two descriptions of danger on the sea to demonstrate the effects each description might have on readers.

(see the answer keys)

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