neously. Equiano learned quickly that he had to adapt to the American ways and learned to become literate in order to survive. Equiano was knowledgeable not only about his own faith, but also those trials and persecutions endured by others. The following excerpt is one example:Such is the imperfect sketch my memory has furnished me with of the manner and customs of a people among whom I first drew my breathe. And here I cannot forbear suggesting what has long struck me very forcibly, namely, the strong analogy which even by this sketch, imperfect as it is, appears to prevail in the manners and customs of my countrymen, and those of the Jews, before they reached the Land of Promise Like the Israelites in their primitive state, our government was conducted by our chiefs, our judges, our wise men, and elders; and the head of a family with us enjoyed a similar authority over his household with that which is ascribed to Abraham and the other patriarchs. The law of retaliation obtained almost universally with us as with them; and even their religion appeared to have shed upon us a ray of its glory, though broken and spent in its passage, or eclipsed by the cloud with which time, tradition, and ignorance, might have enveloped it: for we had our circumcision (a rule I believe peculiar to that people): we had also our sacrifices and burnt offerings, our washing and purifications, on the same occasion as they had.(Equiano)Comparing the aspects of his religion and race to the Israelites, Equiano demonstrates his understanding of worldwide struggle and success. He remembers his early days vaguely, but still constructs views drawn on his memories.Equiano endured a taste of the good life momentarily. He grew up living a normal childhood as every child should. Unfortunately at a very young age he was taken to become a sufferer of slavery. With his quick sense he bought his way to freedom. Struggling through religion verses culture plagued him for many...
