Read the excerpt below and 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.

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

explanation: kimmymc42

This excerpt from Chapter Two of Equiano´s autobiography shows that slaves not only had to endure horrible tortures and mistreatments, but they had to do so without any understanding of what was happening to them. Their captors were from a completely different world, which added to the horror of the experience, but it also provided them a chance to see wonders they never imagined.

Explanation:

Equiano describes his experience on board a slave ship in the route between Africa and the New World, known as the Middle Passage. He narrates how he became captivated by the quadrant, which shows his fascination for the novelty, but he also recalls thinking he was to be eaten by his captors, as it´s stated in another part of his account, which reflects his complete unawareness about his situation.