Solomon northups 12 years a s lave 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. Twelve years a slave, free pdf, ebook, epub global grey. Get all the key plot points of solomon northrups 12 years a slave on one page. He lived, worked, and married in upstate new york, where his family resided. Its an autobiographical account of how solomon northup, continue reading. As henry louis gates jr, an expert on slave narratives and consultant on the film 12 years a s lave, has noted, literacy was the very commodity that separated animal from human being, slave. He faces the hardships of being a slave under the hands of a few different slave owners. My indepth examination of steve mcqueens incredible american odyssey 12 years a s. 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 s lave. Solomon northup begins 12 years a slave by clearly stating his goal in writing. Solomon northrup writes his book twelve years a s lave in the firstperson omniscient reflective narrative. Its his life story of how he got lured in a trap and kidnapped in 1841. This book is also available in large print, extra large print and dyslexiafriendly editions. He was in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before he was able to secretly.
He was conveyed to richmond, virginia, and then delivered by ship to new orleans, where in june he was sold at a slave market under the name platt hamilton. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In chapters i and ii, northup tells of his life as a free black man living in upstate new york. A blight of caterpillars destroys the cotton crops of epps and his neighbors. 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. In 1984, pbs produced a television movie called solomon northups odyssey, and in 20, an oscarwinning film titled 12 years a slave was released. Twelve years a slave summary solomon northup is a free black man living in upstate new york with his family in the 1840s. At william fords plantation, platt is given shelter and treated with kindness, which he tries to repay by working in fords wifes garden. His experiences are the subject of the book and film 12 years a slave. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in 12 years a slave, which you can use to track the themes throughout the. Northups book was published in 1853, less than a year after his liberation. The experience is a firsthand account of twelve years spent as a slave in the deep. The book sold some 30,000 copies in the ensuing three years, and northup used the.
The original title page of 12 years a slave gives a brief summary of the book. 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 is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as. In his book, northup tells his harrowing tale of his experience with slavery. The final section of 12 years of slave, chapters xxi and xxii and appendix, tells of solomons escape from captivity. Solomon northup is deceived, kidnapped, abused, removed from family, deprived of identity, and. 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. After years of bondage, he met an outspoken abolitionist from canada who notified northups family of his whereabouts, and he was subsequently rescued by an official agent of the state of new york. Twelve years a slave at a glance book summary character list character map summary and analysis editors preface chapter 1. Twelve years a slave is the story of solomon northup, an african american who was born free in new york in the early 1800s.
In 1841, african american solomon northup, a free man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery under the name platt for 12 years. Study 32 terms twelve years a slave flashcards quizlet. Solomon northups twelve years a slave, provides readers with a different outlook on slavery. Solomon northup july 10, 1807 or 1808 unknown was an american abolitionist and the primary author of the memoir twelve years a slave. In 1841, solomon northup was captured and forced into slavery for a period of 12 years. Born in july 1808, he was the son of an emancipated slave. Its about how he was sold into slavery in the south, and what happened during those 12 years a slave. 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. 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. Northups book, dedicated to stowe, sold 30,000 copies, making it a bestseller in its own right. Northup discusses his days as a slave and the different obstacles he went through.
In the end, twelve years a slave is both a profound memoir and a well written, passionate abolitionist document from an involuntary inside informant. 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. Twelve years a s lave 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. The son of an emancipated slave, northup was born free. My indepth examination of steve mcqueens incredible american odyssey 12 years a s lave. As a result, platt is hired out to judge turners sugar plantation to earn money for. Northups book presents a more complex picture of slave life than does the movie, which concentrates sharply on themes of oppression and victimization. Twelve years a slave chapters vix summary and analysis. Louisiana, as the area where northup was enslaved was close to the fictional setting of simon legrees plantation on the red river. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup full audiobook.
He spent the next 12 years as a slave in louisiana with various masters before finally securing his release. Thanks to the faithfulness of bass, solomons friends in the north are alerted to his location and come to set him free. It is a masterpiece of history,of one man,one free mans life. The book twelve years a s lave is wonderfully written and sadly hundreds of stories that are true and need to be written. Born free and illegally kidnapped, he spends 12 years in slavery before achieving his freedom.
The book, which is set to release as a feature film next month, is powerful. Twelve years a slave has twice been adapted for film. Twelve years a s lave is a memoir and slave narrative by solomon northup, as told to and edited by david wilson. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york, details his kidnapping in. Twelve years a s lave setting solomon northup 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 s lave.
Masters such as william ford and edwin epps, although very different characters, both used an interpretation of christianity to justify their ownership of slaves. Through faith, will power, and courage northup must survive and endure those 12 years as a slave. Twelve years a slave university of north carolina press. The son of a liberated slave, solomon grows up hearing of the atrocities of slavery but.