Perhaps the best written of all the slave narratives, twelve years a slave is a harrowing memoir about one of the darkest periods in american history. Twelve years a slave is the autobiographical account of solomon northups years spent as a slave in louisiana. Attention to details in the story can open opportunities for classroom discussion. Platt and eliza now named dradey are transported by their new owner, william ford, to his home in the great pine woods, on the banks of the red river in the avoyelles and bayou boeuf region of central louisiana. For purposes of this exercise, i have a slightly different take on. Its about how he was sold into slavery in the south, and what happened during those 12 years a slave. In chapter xiv, northup revealed that he was given a whip and made to lead slave crews in the cultivation of sugar cane.
He states that he will tell his story as faithfully as possible. Solomon northup is a free black man living in upstate new york with his family in the 1840s. Narrative of solomon northup, citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana, is a memoir by solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Literary analysis of solomon northups twelve years a slave. The movie won the bafta award and the academy award for best picture as well as the golden globe award for best drama. But this particular edition is enriched with notes and various appendices written by the two editors. To understand a historical development, however, a literary analysis of the works isnt sufficient to uncover all tendencies and reasons for before mentioned development. This movie is an adaptation of the slave narrative and also memoir of the same title that was published in 1853. Solomon northup is born a free man in upstate new york in july of 1808. Northups book was published in 1853, less than a year after his liberation. As you can see, in the book, it is mistress epps who wants to bribe.
My object is to give a candid and truthful statement of facts. Literary analysis of solomon northups twelve years a slave madalina. Northups book presents a more complex picture of slave life than does the movie, which concentrates sharply on themes of oppression and victimization. His book, twelve years a slave, was published in 1853, an insider account of his experiences. Born free and illegally kidnapped, he spends 12 years in slavery before achieving his freedom. Epps is married to mistress epps, and the two have at least two children, although only one, young master read full character analysis bass is a kindhearted white carpenter from canada who works on a construction project for edwin epps. Introduction the movie 12 years a slave was released in 20, covering the precivil war period in america, this astounding award winning motion picture film, tells the story of a free man sold into slavery and regaining his. Northup was put to work on plantations in the state of louisiana for 12 years before.
What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today. Twelve years a slave, written by solomon northup, is an. Twelve years old when she discovered a copy of northups narrative in a local plantation in 1930, eakin was intrigued to find. Twelve years a slave 1853, i have a dream 1963 and 12 years a slave 2014. Based on the autobiographical narrative 1853 of solomon northup. One day, two men approach him and ask if he will accompany them and play his fiddle as they travel to washington dc to the circus they work for. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave was recorded by david wilson, a white lawyer and legislator from new york who claimed to have presented a faithful history of solomon northups life, as i received it from his lips p. Solomon northups 12 years a slave recounts the authors life story as a free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in th. The 12 years a slave book shows slavery as even more appalling than in the film of human bondage its the most devastating film about slavery ever, but the book shows the institution to be.
Dec 04, 2015 12 years a slave is a 20 period drama film and an adaptation of the 1853 slave narrative memoir twelve years a slave by solomon northup, a new york stateborn free africanamerican man who was. Even more so, it drives home the reality that slavery back in the mid19th century was seen as being a normal part of everyday life. These notes and appendices create a real perspective. He lived, worked, and married in upstate new york, where his family resided. Additionally, the accuracy of and factual detail in 12 years a slave have kept this book prominent as a reliable historical reference on slavery for more than 150 years since it first debuted. After a first pass, its time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scenebyscene breakdown. Born a free black man, solomon northup explains that the twelve years after he was kidnapped in which he. Still, 12 years a slave offers many teachable moments for historians.
May 10, 2015 being considered as an authentic reflection and verifiable experiences of the contemporary slave system and the treatment of slave one of the primary missions of the genre slave narrative the movie twelve years a slave adapted from the solomon northups slave narratives of the same name has even been highly appreciated in. Apparently he was good in that overseer role because, according to chapter xv, he was given a similar job for three consecutive years thereafter. The main interest of the book is of course the autobiographical testimony it contains. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana.
There, he aspires to work and raise a family as any ordinary american might. My indepth examination of steve mcqueens incredible american odyssey 12 years a slave. The best study guide to 12 years a slave on the planet, from the creators of sparknotes. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a. Director steve mcqueen, working from a script by john ridley and with the notable contributions of production designer adam stockhausen, cinematographer sean bobbitt and editor joe walker, has turned the book twelve years a slave into the film 12 years a slave, interpreting solomon northups story with accuracy, exquisite craft and. He worked as a slave for 12 years before the government was able to locate and free him. In this unique literary tradition, formerly enslaved men and women report what they experienced and. The complete story of the author of twelve years a slave, isbn 9781440829741, with coauthors fiske, clifford w.
The 12 years a slave book shows slavery as even more. Twelve years a slave study guide contains a biography of solomon northup, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. It recounts how solomon northup, born a free man in new york, was lured to washington, d. Benedict cumberbatch, chiwetel ejiofor in 12 years a slave. Twelve years a slave, solomon northup 1808 1863 twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. The memoir by solomon northup upon which the recent much acclaimed feature film, twelve years a slave directed by steve mcqueen, was based. Solomon northup narrates his own story of being kidnapped and sold into slavery, in which he remained for twelve years until he was freed. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841 and rescued in 1853 to be referred to as twelve years a slave is the focus of this lesson on analyzing messages in slave narratives. His book, twelve years a slave, one of the longest and most. Solomon northups story was relevant when it was written and is still relevant today. The book twelve years a slave is wonderfully written and sadly hundreds of stories that are true and need to be written. This article will focus primarily on the slave narrative twelve years a slave by solomon northup, and explore the.
Introduction the movie 12 years a slave was released in 20, covering the precivil war period in america, this astounding award winning motion picture film, tells the story of a free man sold into slavery and regaining his freedom in the end. What evidence can you cite to support your conclusion. The book was expanded and reissued by praeger in august 20 as solomon northup. Northups dominant purpose in retelling the narrative of his years as a slave as shown in the movie adaptation of his book twelve years a slave. What 12 years a slave teaches us about racism today busted halo. The narrative twelve years a slave is a mesmerizing memoir of the life of solomon northup. The book s appendix c provides the publishing history for twelve years a slave during the 19th century. This study guide consists of approximately 29 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of twelve years a slave. Solomon northups 12 years a slave recounts the authors life story as a free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the precivil war south the son of an emancipated slave, northup was born free.
The original title page of 12 years a slave gives a brief summary of the book. Along twelve years, he works in the plantations and has abusive treatment of his masters, until the day he meets the canadian abolitionist bass that promises to send a letter to his family. Its his life story of how he got lured in a trap and kidnapped in 1841. Solomon northup begins 12 years a slave by clearly stating his goal in writing. Solomon northups book twelve years a slave covered the story of northup himself as he was kidnapped and forced into slavery. Free man in chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a. Twelve years a slave summary and analysis of chapters iiv. Epps is solomon s third and most inhumane master, whom solomon serves for ten years. The thing is, this chapter in 12 years a slave the book is a fascinating, yet also simple illustration of how the institution of slavery worked and just what a deplorable, selfperpetuating machine it was. Essay analysis of the movie 12 years a slave 12 years a slave is a drama film directed by steve mcqueen and premiered in 20. Literary analysis of solomon northups twelve years a slave grin. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d.
Twelve years a slave by solomon northup free ebook. It reads, twelve years a slave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river, in louisiana. The narrative tells the harrowing true story of northup, who was born free in new york state but kidnapped in washington, d. Analysis of the movie 12 years a slave 1735 words 7 pages. Emotionally, sometimes even close to physically, it was painful to watch and thats putting it mildly. Twelve years a slave solomon northup, 1853, 1968, 2008 penguin group usa 288 pp. Feb 01, 2016 after a first pass, its time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scenebyscene breakdown. Rachel concannon abstract an analysis of the ways in which the role and function of a text can alter over time. I would also like to draw the readers attention to some fine short stories treating with the difficult subject matter of americas racial history. Solomon northups book twelve year s a slave covered the story of northup himself as he was kidnapped and forced into slavery. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The film pulled no punches when dealing with the harsh realities of americas slave trade and the evil acted out by those who took part in it. There, he aspires to work and raise a family as any ordinary american might do. Twelve years a slave is a book that absolutely inhabits the intersection of american history and american literature, and should be read and understood in that context.
816 426 701 197 303 42 788 772 681 280 1333 684 309 297 113 1354 1174 379 527 474 581 1275 731 124 788 696 633 1015 330 487 1414 1331 962 240 880 1359 1181 1154 781 654 725 555 513 1384