# Olaudah Equiano — The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano character guide > Olaudah Equiano in The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Gustavus Vassa, the said Gustavus Vassa, the aforesaid Gustavus Vassa, Mr. Gustavus Vassa, Olaudah **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Born free in an Eboe village and destined for its highest honor, he is kidnapped into slavery and narrates his own astonishing journey to freedom. ## Who they are Equiano opens his story not in chains but in Essaka, a fertile inland vale where his father is an Embrenche elder marked by a scarred forehead, and where he himself is meant to receive that same distinction. That early world of simple governance, law, and belonging gives his later displacement its full weight, since he must measure every new master and port against the home he lost. His voice, curious and self-possessed, turns a life of forced movement into a deliberate argument about who deserves to be free. ## Relationships ### [Robert King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/robert_king) _professional_ Olaudah Equiano serves as an enslaved worker for Robert King, who later becomes his master and employer. ### [Dr. Charles Irving](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/dr_charles_irving) _professional_ Dr. Charles Irving employs Olaudah Equiano as an assistant or servant during his voyages. ### [Captain Pascal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/captain_pascal) _professional_ Captain Pascal is Olaudah Equiano's enslaver and master during his time at sea. ### [Mat Macnamara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/mat_macnamara) _professional_ Mat Macnamara interacts with Olaudah Equiano as a superior or associate in the slave trade. ### [Robert King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/robert_king) _professional_ Olaudah Equiano serves as an enslaved worker for Robert King, who later becomes his master and employer. ### [Dr. Charles Irving](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/dr_charles_irving) _professional_ Dr. Charles Irving employs Olaudah Equiano as an assistant or servant during his voyages. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/dedication) Author and narrator, dedicating his narrative to Parliament. ### [The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/the-interesting-narrative-of-the-life-of-olaudah-equiano) Narrator and central figure; recounts his journey from freedom in Africa to enslavement and eventual liberation. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/i) The author and narrator, born in 1745 in Essaka, named Olaudah meaning 'vicissitude' or 'fortune'. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/ii) Narrates his early life, kidnapping, and journey to the coast. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/iii) The author, now called Jacob and later renamed Gustavus Vassa by Captain Pascal; he is terrified and confused by the new sights and customs. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/iv) Narrates his baptism, narrow escape from drowning, Mediterranean voyage, and eventual betrayal and sale by his master. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/v) Describes his despair, reflections on divine punishment, and attempts to escape; witnesses and recounts numerous cruelties against slaves. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/vi) Describes his disgust with the West Indies, his determination to gain freedom, his study of navigation, his fidelity to his master, and his growing success as a petty trader. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/vii) Narrates his journey toward freedom, his trading successes, and his determination to resist unjust treatment. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/viii) Narrator and protagonist; agrees to another voyage for Mr. King, dreams of shipwreck, helps save the crew, faces harassment and kidnapping attempt in Georgia, officiates at a funeral. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/ix) Narrator and protagonist; travels to various islands, works as a steward, and eventually returns to England. ### [Chapter X: Spiritual Struggles and the Kidnapping of John Annis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/x) Leaves Dr. Irving, attempts to free John Annis, and undergoes a profound religious conversion. ### [Miscellaneous Verses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/miscellaneous-verses) The speaker and subject of the poem, reflecting on his life of sorrow, his kidnapping, and his spiritual conversion. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/xi) Narrator and protagonist; survives shipwreck, disputes with a priest, rescues sailors, attempts missionary work, and endures abuse from a cruel captain. ### [Chapter XII: Different Transactions of the Author's Life Till the Present Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/xii) Narrates his life after 1777, serves as commissary for the Sierra Leone expedition, applies to the Bishop of London for missionary work. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/olaudah_equiano - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters