Throughout his text, Equiano's definition of abolition desired to end the slave trade while reforming slavery into a more caring and cordial institution. Additionally, this was illustrated throughout the novel because, even though Equiano was a slave himself, he believed in private property. Moreover, he is an honest man and says that he will not escape his master under any circumstances unless he is treated unsatisfactorily. Unlike slavery as a whole, Equiano firmly believes that if slaves were treated more humanely, there would be mutual respect, therefore slaves would be more loyal and easier to respect. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay As Equiano's feelings change throughout the text, his definition of freedom slowly evolves with his times during the slave trade. For example, in the beginning, when Equiano was first kidnapped, he desperately prayed for him to return home to Africa. He states that he cried continuously for days and refused to eat anything other than what his master forced him to eat. This illustrates Equiano's initial belief that the slave trade is harmful because it tears families apart. This also demonstrates how being captivated by the slave trade affected Equiano mentally and physically. He didn't understand why he was taken out of his home and told what to do. In contrast, Equiano's perception begins when he arrives at his first master after several days of travel at sea. Upon his arrival, Equiano recognizes their treatment of him in the text and describes how it took him by surprise. He claims that his master's wife treated him like his own mother and that the whole family tried to comfort him. These kind gestures during his vulnerability are a representation of Equiano's transition of beliefs that sheds a more positive light on the slave trade. For example, when he arrives in Tinmah Africa, Equiano is bought by a widow and her son. He describes their treatment as superb in his eyes. This demonstrates how African slave owners tended to be more willing to help their slaves and ensure that they felt comfortable in their homes. Contrary to this, when Equiano comes into contact with European slave owners, he realizes the great differences between Africans and Europeans. In his eyes, Europeans were incredibly malicious and treated their slaves like animals while starving, beating, and neglecting them. Additionally, Equiano observes how European owners ate the fish they had caught and instead of feeding their slaves, the leftover fish was thrown away. in the ocean. Throwing leftover food into the ocean represents how Europeans deliberately intimidated their slaves while making them feel inferior and powerless. However, when Equiano was purchased by his first master, he states, the day after his purchase he was given a bath and perfume, then guided to a dinner party to eat with the master's wife and his son. In continuity, Equiano states that their allowance made him forget that he was a slave. This example illuminates another example of Equiano's transition regarding his judgment on the slave trade. The message that this abolitionist text conveys is to spread the wickedness of the slave trade. Equiano tends to cope with his suffering by turning to God and reading Bible verses. He mentions that he is goingrealizes that the slave trade cannot be good because it violates the independence, equality and rights of humanity that God would never have intended. This confirms Equiano's realization that the practice of buying and selling human beings is inhumane, which is why he questions the slave trade because God would not approve of it. By questioning the slave trade process, Equiano develops his desire to abolish the slave trade and reform slavery. This was a turning point because it marks the main message of the book, which is to disseminate the barbaric effects of the slave trade. Additionally, Daniel Queen was a man who became attached to Equiano and taught him how to read the Bible. Once Equiano had the ability to read the Bible, he became more intrigued by human rights and God's plan for humanity. Daniel Queen was a father figure to Equiano, and he says that Daniel was careful about his morals and didn't expect him to lie because of the consequences and the fact that God would no longer love him. Now, the practice of Christianity presents an aspect of freedom in his remarkable journey that allows him to escape his reality and turn to God in times of need. Additionally, the message of the scourges of the slave trade is manifested when African Americans are stripped of their identity and forced to adopt new names and traditions. Equiano did not like taking a new name when his captain and master renamed him, Gustavus Vasa, he stated his name was Jacob, which led to Equiano being mistreated by his captain. After being abused, Equiano became afraid that he would be constantly abused. Likewise, Equiano states that white slave owners acted savagely and that he had never seen his community suffer such brutal cruelty. Therefore, the horrors of the slave trade illustrate the message that Equiano is trying to convey in his abolitionist text. Equiano is against the slave trade as a whole because the process of slavery tends to be worse than death. He describes the conditions as extremely harsh and saw children on the ship being thrown into bathtubs and suffocated. Equiano assumed this would happen to him as well and accepted it because he wanted out of his miseries. This confirms that conditions were so dehumanizing that slaves were pushed beyond reason. Additionally, due to the abrasive conditions, slaves became less and less willing to complete tasks as they were tired and miserable. Similarly, Equiano recounts an incident in which he was too depressed to eat, so when the Europeans offered him food, he refused. Due to his refusal, they held Equiano by the hands and tied his feet while beating him severely. This demonstrates the control that masters had over slaves and depicts their lack of say in any situation. Continually, as slaves had no say in personal choices, they began small acts of rebellion like Equiano's, which consisted of refusing food. In contrast, Equiano states the message that if slaves were treated like human beings, they would tend to be more honest, loyal, and intelligent. This goes against the book as a whole because Equiano has a consistent philosophy regarding the slave trade, and the belief that slaves would more easily comply if they were treated like humans goes against this he says. This also means that Equiano is stating that if slavery were reformed it would be more appropriate, which is not what he believes throughout his abolitionist text. Keep in mind: this is just a sample..