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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. When Equiano finds Pascal in England, how does Pascal react?

2. What is the purpose of the expedition led by Lord Mulgrave that Equiano joins?

3. Whose sermon helps Equiano understand what is required for salvation?

4. Why do the natives like Dr. Irving?

5. What happens to the bulls on Farmer's last voyage?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe and comment on Equiano's experiences with the Sierra Leone settlement.

2. Why does Equiano want to become ordained?

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

4. Is there an implicit argument being made in Equiano's description of the time he spent in Turkey?

5. What three elements of Equiano's visit with the fisherman help him decide to become a Christian?

6. How does the episode with the silversmith parallel earlier events in The Interesting Narrative?

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

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

9. Why do you think Equiano goes back and forth so much between going to sea and other ways of making a living, like hairdressing?

10. Does the manumission of Equiano seem like a high point to this autobiography?

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

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

Essay Topic 3

Since The Interesting Narrative follows Equiano from childhood to adulthood, it is a story of a boy growing up as well as of a man seeking freedom and a spiritual home. How is Equiano's transition from childhood to adulthood affected by the fact that he is taken into slavery as an adolescent boy? How does the book show readers that transition?

(see the answer keys)

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