Compare And Contrast Equiano And Mrs Rowlandson

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It is no secret that many Americans were held ransom by Native Americans, or that many African Americans were taken captive to be sold into the slave trade throughout the early American history. “Captivity narratives” are one of the main ways we learn today about the brave souls who overcame these hardships. A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Rowlandson and The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa, the African are two very popular “captivity narratives” in American literature. Even though there are clear differences between the two narratives, surprisingly there are also a lot of similarities. During this essay the similarities and differences of Mrs. Rowlandson’s and Olaudah Equiano’s …show more content…

Rowlandson was a white woman, mother of three, and the wife of a Puritan minister. Rowlandson’s story involved being taken hostage with her three children by Native Americans and held for ransom. Rowlandson wrote, “On the tenth of February 1675, came the Indians with great numbers upon Lancaster: their first coming was about sun rising; hearing the noise of some guns, we looked out; several houses were burning, and the smoke ascending to heaven” (Baym, 236) On the other hand though, Olaudah Equiano was just an eleven year old African American boy when he was taken captive from his native land with his sister. Equiano narrated, “One day, when all our people were gone out to their works as usual, and I and my dear sister were left to mind the house, two men and a woman got over our walls, and in a moment seized us both, and, without giving us time to cry out, or make resistance, they stopped our mouths, and ran off with us into the nearest wood.” (Baym, 677) Unlike Rowlandson, Equiano was not held for ransom, after being captured he was sold into the American slave trade. Both Rowlandson and Equiano were separated from their families, and moved numerous times during their captivity. Remarkably enough, during the times they were relocated, they both were reunited with a family member for a period of time. Rowlandson was reunited with her daughter, while Equiano was reunited with his

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