Comparison of the Interesting Story of the Life of Olauda Equiano and The Death of My Father by WieselThis essay will focus on both works, The Interesting Story of the Life by Olauda Equiano by Olauda Equiano and “The Death of My Father” by Elie Wiesel. Although these works are very different, they are at the same time sadly similar. Both works are of value to me because they depict events that have historical significance. Their personal descriptions of these events help to better feel and understand the atrocities inflicted on the African and Jewish people. That of Equiano was most poignant because it details the crimes committed against the African people. Equiano's story tells us of his kidnapping and separation from his family, especially his little sister. I learned that slaves were bought and sold in Africa, from African to African. I guess I just never realized it was a practice before European influence. Of course, the difference seems to be that African masters did not mistreat their slaves. It was not until Equiano was sold to white traders that he was “converted to terror” and even after many years he was “still unable to describe it” (479). Equiano's graphic account of conditions aboard the slave ship hurt as I read. I could only imagine the suffering as he described “the heat,” “the air… unfit for breathing,” and the “cries… and groans of the dying” (481). While Equiano was luckier than most, if that can be considered luck. It reports the general treatment of slaves by their owners after their arrival in America. Equiano speaks of sexual assaults against female slaves, including young children, mutilation and torture as punishment for a myriad of...... middle of paper..." (1829). Wiesel says that if God exists, why would he allow the Holocaust to happen? Of course, this is one of many questions that will never be answered for him. Finally, Wiesel resigns himself to going to the synagogue, lighting the candles. and saying Kiddish for his father. These two writings were precious to me because they were not mere entertainments. They were stories of human suffering, of suffering inflicted by other human beings. many stories about the slave trade and the Holocaust, I have read it. I always find each story more horrible and saddening than the last. Like Wiesel, I do not understand how such cruelties could be inflicted on anyone. .How human beings can lack compassion and empathy for others is so beyond my comprehension. no words to explain my feelings....