What does Basho's & Equiano's Travel Narratives have in common & what do they differ on?

Basho’s, “Narrow Road Through the Backcountry” and Equiano’s “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” are two very interesting stories. Both of these writers express so much emotions and details of their travels that it makes vivid images in one’s mind. Their journeys are different, as to where they’re going and what they are experiencing, but they both found freedom. They both found spiritual freedom in different ways. I choose these two readings because as I went back to some of the readings it reminded me of each other and in my paper I will be explaining what comparisons I found and what make their journeys alike. Even though their journeys led them to appreciate different things they both got a lot from their journeys.  Basho learned and had a special appreciation to the natural world and Equiano found a deeper appreciation to God as he believe to be a “fortunate one” and based on his experience he consider himself “as a particular favorite of Heaven.” Their journeys might differ in many ways but the way they express themselves in very vivid ways and their main focus; which is their journey and what they learned is not much different. Both their journeys revolved around special and specific moments in their lives. Both of them wrote about their travel experience and I would explain what things they had mostly in common and what they differ on.

Slavery.....

It is just sad to see how slavery; something that we read about in history class, English class  and many other classes is a topic that is still part of our lives in more than just readings. Many people have family members that had experienced it first hand and some that are dealing with it till this day. In many countries slavery is still happening not exactly how it was before but people still working for miserable payments, being kept away from their families just to be able to work with the hopes that in some near future they can get back together with their families and have enough money to start all over.

Slavery is not only about working under someone and being told what to do, it’s also about how much work you do and what you get in return, how much opportunities are you really allowed and how far can you really get without having to climb a wall that’s just to high… immigrants come to NY thinking it’s the land of opportunity but it’s not easy being an immigrant, or a non English speaking person or just anyone under Superior people. There are many opportunities but with dead ends more than with endless possibilities…. Just going to school don’t cut it anymore, money speaks louder than anything in this world, the higher class people will always be higher class and anything under that will always remain there. But it’s good to always stay positive and always reach for the unreachable.