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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. What happens to John Annis on the boat to Turkey?

2. What makes Equiano attracted to Christianity?

3. What is the name of the Native American Equiano tries to convert to Christianity?

4. What does King give Equiano when Equiano is leaving for England in Chapter 9?

5. Why doesn't Equiano become ordained?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the trip to the North Pole develop Equiano's characterization?

2. How does the episode in which Phillips's crew see a flock of flamingos characterize the crew?

3. Do you think it makes sense for Equiano to believe that he made the ship wreck by cursing it?

4. Why does Equiano want to become ordained?

5. How does his experience of being "born again" change Equiano's attitude toward life?

6. Why does Equiano choose to go with Dr. Irving to start a plantation in Jamaica?

7. How do Equiano's experiences in Georgia reflect on the conditions for free black men in the U.S. South before the Civil War?

8. What is the significance of Equiano's encounter with Hughes?

9. Compare Phillips to Farmer.

10. Is Equiano's encounter with Pascal when he returns to England the way you expected it to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Historians are not certain that the details of Equiano's early life as described in the Narrative are completely accurate. In fact, many historians believe that Equiano was not born in Africa but was, instead, born a slave in North or South Carolina. Write an essay in which you explain what difference it would make to a reader's response to the book if Equiano fictionalized the details of his early life. Consider, as well, what Equiano's motivations for fictionalizing might have been.

Essay Topic 2

In Chapter 1, Equiano states that he wants to avoid being either vain or boring in writing his own life story, but that instead he wants to provide "satisfaction" and "promote the interest of humanity." How well does he avoid being vain or boring? How well does he achieve his goals of providing "satisfaction" or entertainment to readers and promoting "the interest of humanity"?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the importance and role of literacy in Equiano's life as described throughout The Interesting Narrative.

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