Question

Read the excerpt then answer the question:

During our passage, I first saw flying fishes, which surprised me very much; they used frequently to fly across the ship, and many of them fell on the deck. I also now first saw the use of the quadrant; I had often with astonishment seen the mariners make observations with it, and I could not think what it meant. They at last took notice of my surprise; and one of them, willing to increase it, as well as to gratify my curiosity, made me one day look through it. The clouds appeared to me to be land, which disappeared as they passed along. This heightened my wonder; and I was now more persuaded than ever, that I was in another world, and that every thing about me was magic.
In at least 100 words, discuss how Equiano’s descriptions in this excerpt makes the other portions of the text that much more affecting.

Answer 1

I think Equiano uses very descriptive language to keep the reader entertained and hooked. Equiano makes use of describing words and metaphors to paint a picture in the reader's head so they can visualize what's happening in the text. We see this throughout the text where he says, "clouds appeared to me to be land" and when how he describes the fishes as " flying." Time and time again Equiano describes what he sees and where he's at so that the readers have a clear understanding. Equiano compels the reader to keep reading through his vivid descriptions and curiosity of scenarios in the text.

It also reminds us that Equiano was still a child at the time of his capture and transport, making all of the other incidents described in the text seem that much more horrifying.

Answer 2

delight

Equiano's delight from the start with the flying fish and then his curiosity of the quadrant just compels the reader to continue reading. Then as his curiosity of the quadrant gets the mariner's attention it's his sheer surprise they allow him to look through it. his description of what he saw was land but only just clouds, which again urges the reader to keep reading. Then his wonder whether he was in another world or if everything about him was magic make the perfect ending.