The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano · Chapter
IX explained
Equiano travels to Martinico, Montserrat, and eventually returns to England, where he reunites with Dr.
What happens
Equiano travels to Martinico, Montserrat, and eventually returns to England, where he reunites with Dr. Irving, learns to freshen sea water, and embarks on a voyage to the North Pole with Captain Phipps. He faces difficulties recovering money from a captain, witnesses cruel punishments of slaves, and finally bids farewell to Mr. King, obtaining a certificate of good behavior before sailing for London.
Themes in this chapter
Slavery and Oppression
Equiano witnesses and describes numerous cruel punishments inflicted on slaves in Jamaica and other islands.
Freedom and Liberty
Equiano, now a free man, navigates the challenges of proving his freedom and avoiding re-enslavement while traveling.
Christianity and Providence
Equiano frequently acknowledges the delivering hand of Providence and thanks God for his mercies throughout his travels.
Economic Enterprise and Self-Reliance
Equiano works as a steward, lends money, and manages his finances, eventually earning thirty-seven guineas from his voyages.
Characters to notice
- Olaudah Equiano
Narrator and protagonist; travels to various islands, works as a steward, and eventually returns to England.
- Dr. Charles Irving
Equiano's old master who offers him service again; they work on freshening sea water and later embark on a voyage to the North Pole.
- Robert King
Equiano's former master in Montserrat; gives him a certificate of good behavior and advises him to stay and acquire land and slaves.
- Miss Guerin
One of Equiano's former friends in London whom he seeks out upon his return.
- Captain Pascal
Mentioned in the chapter title; Equiano meets him again during his travels.
Key passages
“I found Jamaica to be a very fine large island, well peopled, and the most considerable of the West India islands. There was a vast number of negroes here, whom I found as usual exceedingly imposed upon by the white people, and the slaves punished as in the other islands.”
Equiano describes Jamaica as a large, populous island where enslaved Africans are routinely exploited and harshly punished by white inhabitants.
Equiano's observation of the systemic oppression of slaves in Jamaica.
“I saw many cruel punishments inflicted on the slaves in the short time I stayed here. In particular I was present when a poor fellow was tied up and kept hanging by the wrists at some distance from the ground, and then some half hundred weights were fixed to his ankles, in which posture he was flogged most unmercifully.”
Equiano witnesses a slave being suspended by his wrists with weights on his ankles and brutally whipped.
Graphic depiction of slave punishment in Jamaica.
“I now learned with extreme sorrow, that his house was washed away during my absence, by the bursting of a pond at the top of a mountain that was opposite the town of Plymouth. It swept great part of the town away, and Mr. King lost a great deal of property from the inundation, and nearly his life.”
Equiano hears that Mr. King's house was destroyed by a flood from a burst pond, causing significant loss and nearly killing him.
Natural disaster affecting Mr. King in Montserrat.
“I then requested he would be kind enough to give me a certificate of my behaviour while in his service, which he very readily complied with, and gave me the following: Montserrat, January 26, 1767 . 'The bearer hereof, Gustavus Vassa, was my slave for upwards of three years, during which he has always behaved himself well, and discharged his duty with honesty and assiduity. Robert King.'”
Equiano asks Mr. King for a character reference, and Mr. King provides a written certificate attesting to Equiano's good conduct during his enslavement.
Equiano obtains a formal certificate of good behavior from his former master.
“With a light heart I bade Montserrat farewell, and never had my feet on it since; and with it I bade adieu to the sound of the cruel whip, and all other dreadful instruments of torture; adieu to the offensive sight of the violated chastity of the sable females, which has too often accosted my eyes; adieu to oppressions (although to me less severe than most of my countrymen); and adieu to the angry howling, dashing surfs.”
Equiano joyfully leaves Montserrat, expressing relief at escaping the sounds of whips, the sight of sexual violence against Black women, and the general oppression of slavery.
Equiano's emotional farewell to Montserrat and the horrors of slavery.
