Chapter 2- Hochschild's Bury the Chains

In Chapter 2 of Hochschild’s Bury the Chains, the author tells the tale of a young curious man Olaudah Equiano. He was forced into slavery and then bought his way out, only to be put back in chains once again. While he was growing up in Africa he was used to people keeping POW’s as slaves; but once he was himself captured and sold as a slave he knew he would never return to his native village. Equiano described the cramped unsanitary voyages on the vessels. He has an eagerness to learn and became educated by various people he encountered, which later helped him gain his freedom. One famous rebellion occurred known as Tacky’s Rebellion was heard by Equiano, in which he realized that there was much uncertainty for his safety if he continued in the slave trade. In response, Equiano began to barter on his own and raise 70 pounds and bought his freedom. He spent much time wandering the Atlantic doing various jobs and meeting extraordinary people but he learn that no black man at this time is ever truly free.