Twelve Years a Slave, published in 1853, reveals us Solomon Northup’s path to an

eventual escape from slavery, after facing monstrous, shocking experiences. His heartbreaking

story determines us to witness the struggles, sorrows and aspirations of black people, in their

quest for freedom. The kind of “hell on earth “ emotional status which the main characters

attained, illustrates the oppressive social order of the South. As a slave narrative, Solomon

Northup’s confession is not important only for what it communicates about the African

American literature and its historical context, but also because it proclaims the institution of

humanity, portraying an impeccable examination of the realities of slavery, which are

enlightened throughout the text.

Northup’s details about the exploitation he endured provides not only a warning to all

generations of the moral costs that slavery demanded from everyone involved, but also a

testimony to the surviving determination of hope, to the degraded morality. On one hand, the

slaves are made to suffer awful torments, being disinherited of physical, emotional and spiritual

resources. On the other hand, the master is emotionally numb. All his moral values and inner

beliefs ( in case he is the owner of such virtues) are fading away. His religion becomes bigotry

and his family heritage is robbed of basic human graces like love, justice and integrity. He is the

master of hypocrisy, of dishonesty and mockery. The evil of slavery that was common practice

back then shows how Northup’s identity was erased and regained, it outlines this man’s journey

uplifts, but it also points out that slave owners had their personalities and life changed by being

connected to black people. The immeasurable violence inflicted on human beings at the lack of

mercy of another human beings is unfathomable and those who executed abuse, neglect and

brainwash must have had some serious mental issues, although they were lucid enough to make

use of the Bible as a tool of obedience and servility. A messy, disordered and unsettled world at
the end of the white man’s whip and under the man’s arbitrary control brings to light two kinds

of people: the weak man- experiencing misfortunes and facing the depth of sorrow, but still

keeping his head up, not losing hope, not even under the watchful eye of a vindictive master, and

the powerful man – the sick individual who referred to his slaves as “niggers”. It is a relevant

reality, a reminder of the social and moral degradation which weakened the strong man and

caused an extensive suffering among them all. However, not only slaves had their identities

replaced, but also their masters began to lose human sensitiveness at a large scale. Slavery, a

world-wide phenomenon, was seen differently in the eyes of the slave owner. They did not

consider black people humans worthy of proper clothing, food or shelter. The accounts of

Northup describe the detestable injustices that slaves experienced; his slave narrative candidly

illustrates that the institution of chattel slavery brought about pure misery for both male and

female slaves and for their masters too. The gradual path to moral degradation forces us to

confront the corrupt horror of slavery from the beginning of the book to the end.

There are five stages that symbolize Solomon’s identity status. Chapters I and II tell the story of a free
man. The second period of 12 years, told in chapters III-VI reveals how Northup was a captive, finding
himself a prisoner in the slave pen of James H. Burch , a cruel slave trader in Washington, D.C. The third
phase is represented by his low rank, as a slave. Theophilus Freeman had his name changed. At this
time, it is a clear evidence that Northup’s connection to his past was entirely erased. He was now a full-
fledged slave named “Platt”. His baptismal name indicates his new identity. Chapters XII-XX focus on the
10 years Platt lived under the oppression and severity of Edwin Epps. This period was defined by the
whip, as a constant companion. Abuse and humiliation are daily sources of weeping, agony and
depression. The final portion of “Twelve years a slave” announces his regained status of a free man and
we cheerfully find out that Solomon eventually joined his in Saratoga Springs.

Northup’ s viewpoint is up for the grabs, as he labored for twelve years under various masters. He was
the son of an emancipated slave. Being a freeborn man and effectively living, working and getting
married in the northerly part of New-York State, he was a highly educated man for his condition, able to
read and write. Furthermore, he even learned to play the violin, providing to be a competent man, well-
trained and talented. However, his skill turned out to be both a helpful device and a condemnation in
relation with his slaveholders. The background of the first two chapters introduces us Solomon’s family
history. As the key theme that stretches through this book is mainly centered around slavery, along with
its heinous stages, we learn from the very beginning that his father, Mintus , served the white Northup
family up to his emancipation. Working as a farmer together with his father until he died, he married
Anne Hampton, soon after that.

The author’s attempt to offer faithful facts concerning the dates, the human interactions or places, his
enormous grasp for accurate detail proves that, at the time of the book’s publishing , he was a victim of
skepticism. Even the short preface from Northup’s editor, David Wilson, a white man – who feels that he
has to point out the reliable and factual references, identifying the setting of the memoir in the “Pine
Woods” and “Bayou Boeuf” – is a solid proof that Solomon’s true tale needs to be defended. The public
records and specific aspects provide a cruel testimony to the common slave experience in the United
States in the pre-Civil War South. Wilson declares his straightforwardness, his honesty and ambition for
this work: “The only object of the editor has been to give a faithful history of Solomon Northup’s life , as
he received form his lips. “ ( Wilson , XVI). Before giving details about the evils of slavery, about the
“cruel destiny that awaited [him] “ ( Northup, 24 ) , the author includes aspects about the spiritual
journey he began, as a father. He sets about convincing his readers that the written description of the
past events is the naked truth : “ I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under my own observation-
only so far as I have known and experienced it in my own person, My object is, to give a candid and
truthful statement of facts: to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration.” ( Nortup,18)

He was removed from a place of safety into a constant battle with a dangerous society, into a
confrontation with his inner beliefs, as he had to resist the pressure of being kept captivity. However,
because of his father, who “ endeavored to imbue [their] minds with sentiments of morality, and to
teach [them] to place our trust and confidence in Him who regards the humblest as well as the highest
of his creatures” ( Northup, 20 ), he struggled to maintain his identity against the terror of mental
torture and physical pain. Before being kidnapped, the blessing of being a father which he was familiar
with , are a relatable intimate certitude that anyone can identify with : “They filled up our house with
gladness. Their young voices were music in our ears. (…) Their presence was my delight, and I clasped
them to my bosom with as warm and tender love as if their clouded skins had been as white as snow.”
( Northup, 27) . However, he was initially unaware of the scary system of slavery : “Having all my life
breathed the free air of the North, and conscious that I possessed the same feelings and affections that
find a place in the white man’s breast; conscious, moreover, of an intelligence equal to that of some
man, at least, with a fairer skin, I was too ignorant, perhaps too independent, to conceive how any one
could be content to live in the abject condition of a slave.” Northup, 26 ) . After working in many trades,
including farming, as well as lumberjacking and performing on the violin, while his wife gained money as
a cook, his family was able to make ends meet. They “soon found [themselves ] in the possession of
abundance, and, in fact , leading a happy and prosperous life. Well, indeed, would it have been for
[them] had [they] remained on the farm at Kingsbury” ( Northup, 24 )

The starting point of his agony began when two impostors, Abram Hamilton and Merril Brown, offered
him an advantageous job at a circus, if he would join them to Washington, D.C . He left Saratoga with his
eventual betrayers, and we are informed that he begins his journey feeling “happy as [he] had never
been “ ( Northup,30). Unfortunately, he ends his journey to New Orleans, with his “cup of sorrow…full to
overflowing”. He found himself “alone, in utter darkness, and in chains.(…) [He] was hand-cuffed.
Around [his] ankles also were a pair of heavy fetters.” ( Northup, 38 ). Chained and fettered, fed twice a
day, forced to sleep on the ground, the writer recalls his “misapprehension”: “It could not be that a free
citizen of New-York , who had wronged no man, nor violated any law, should be dealt with thus
inhumanly” ( Northup, 39)

He successfully establishes credibility, gradually revealing how he came to be lured away from his home
and unwillingly forced into slavery. Up to the present, he still cannot believe that Brown and Hamilton
could be so mischievous and evil to dissimulate friendship in order to use it later as a means of treachery
and unfaithfulness : “ I know not but they were innocent of the great wickedness of which I know
believe them guilty. “ ( Northup, 34 )

This episode symbolizes the moral corruption which the slave trade brought about. Those depraved
beings, belonging to the privileged white race, used kindness as a malignant hypocrisy.

After a period of 33 years fulfilled by the enjoyments and “blessings of liberty”, Solomon tells us the
moving process of his 12 years of enslavement. Chapters III-VI give an account of the forcible detention
in the slave pen of James H. Burch, a brutal, heartless and savage slave trader in Washington , D.C. He
was acutely beaten and threatened to be killed if he ever mentioned something about his freedom.
Being held with other victims, he realizes the tragic situation in which he finds himself. In fact, the
destiny of a black man was doomed, and it was a real struck of luck to turn over a new leaf by being
freed, reunited with the family you were, as a man of color, taken away from. Being transferred to
another slave pen, under Theophilus Freeman his identity is truly erased. He was given a new name :
Platt, thus dispatched form his past connections. Along with Eliza, who also has a touching life history,
being departed from her children , are sold to a man called William Ford. However, if Ford seems to be a
kind-hearted master, very fond of his Christian roots and proving generosity to his slaves, after serious
problems with John M. Tibeats , a white carpenter, he found himself helpless under his new master, a
cruel one, who enjoys seeing his slaves suffering. Yet, 10 years of captivity , abuse and humiliation will
be faced by Solomon during this period.
Eliza is an important character in Northup’s narrative, illustrating the status and value of woman in a
society in which slaves were considered animals and treated even far worse. She had a daughter with
her master, Emily, who will have to follow the same defenseless destiny .Because of Berry’s white
daughter’s hatred towards Eliza and her children, instead of a guarantee of a free life she was promised,
all which this unfortunate woman received was a submission to the white man’s desires and sadism . On
the other hand, Patsey , a 23-years-old black slave, with the most deplorable situation, “a joyous
creature, a laughing lighthearted girl, was the subject of frequent beatings and rape. Also a victim of
Epps’ wife jealousy and miserable character, she will also play a large role in Solomon’s story , being the
most damaged and maltreated, described as “ a splendid animal”, as an industrious woman. Epps was
known as a “nigger breaker”. He represents the worst level of inhumanity, his moral degradation is as
unbelievable as he whipped his slaves for breaking a branch in the cotton field, for appearing to be idle
in the field. When drunk, he had a particular habit of forcing his slaves to dance for his enjoyment. His
divertissement was even more cheerful when he whipped those who danced too slowly. Patt was
demanded to play the violin : “ No matter how worn out and tired we were, there must be a general
dance. (…) << Up and down, heel and toe, and away we go>>, was the order of the hour.” This dancing
scene outlines the dynamic evolution of his tyranny, his route to the miserable condition of his morality.
Unmindful, unconscious and senseless, Edwin Epps gave Patsey a special treatment. She was the sorry
victim of his frequent rapes, although she was skillful and industrious. Even if Patsey was the most
abused, she continued to be the best cotton picker from her master’s plantation. In relation to female
slaves, slave owners like Edwin Epps had their identities poisoned, infected with sheer meanness. The
more Patsey was beaten and abused, the more Epps became a full-time monster, as he delighted in both
whipping his slaves and in making them exhibit false happiness.

Solomon will distinguish himself from his other black-men fellows as he was witty, had moral values and
a certain amount of intelligence which at harsh times, helped him a lot, being regarded as a skillful man,
and worthy… of toiling, nevertheless.

No matter how nicely Ford treated his slaves, he only used religion , as well as his brother , to justify his
immoral behavior . They were, in fact, using the unethical system of exploitation. For Northup, religion
served him as a means of consolation. Having lost his initial identity, Solomon will have to shift places,
being in the position where he could also whip another black man. He was made to take the white’s man
position as overseer over the other slaves. It is a vital proof that slavery was a poignant reality, in which
torture and degradation caused the downfall of both slaves and masters. It is also a compelling evidence
that the process of dehumanization is the equivalent of a significant loss of identity, of inner values.
Moreover, the slavery will be presented like an illness, the abusive power and the confrontation with a
superior, resentful human ( or not a human at all ) being both a challenge and resulting in a pathetic
revolt , the visceral desire to die being the only gift an enslaved human could possess to escape the
harmful reality. For Solomon Northup and his black fellows, The American Dream was never an ideal
they could later on materialize. This book evokes an overwhelming mixture of fear, pain and
helplessness to the reader. The events concentrate around the timeline of Solomon’s life, in order to
develop the themes of inequality, oppression, lack of freedom. It challenges the historical consciousness
of the U.S , the white supremacy over the inferiority of the black man , economical power of the
inhumanity and the lack of cultural autonomy are just some sources of sorrow, powerfully used to mix
the imagery, irony, and rhetorical devices to persuade the reader of the uncontrolled consequences
which racism and inequality conveyed. Chapter 14 is a perfect illustration of the doomed fate of those
who practiced slavery or suffered from it. Solomon will become spiritually corrupted with the level of
moral depravity which defined Epps and his wife. The whip he hated so much will be placed in his own
hand. He joined the abuses which slavery demanded being unable to endure suffering himself. The
cruelty of flogging- the hardest moral choice for the black man is, however, the easiest decision slaves
had to make. The moral struggle is represented like an inner aspect of slavery itself. Utter heartlessness,
brutality and complicity are the qualifications of “chattel bondage”.

To hammer the point home, we will need to take into account the historical ambience and the power
imbalance between genders. The Fugitive Slave Law , a huge compromise, required that escaped slaves
were returned to their masters, with the necessary co-operation from free citizens Any person who did
not turn in a fleeting slave was considered to be a criminal. This is relevant for understanding the
character’s struggles to escape, his fear and his pitiful situation. Also, merciless ironies are depicted in
the story which had a huge impact on readers. The book does a really good job portraying powerful and
significant events. At least, the ending is written in a relatively optimistic note, Solomon being freed and
getting to know his grandson, named after him. It could symbolize the regain of his identity. His journey
is not only about an impossible cruelty ,but also about an incredible survival. Northup’s tale talks about
courage, savagery and it includes hidden faces of morality. It makes us realize we have the potential for
both good and bad, in all of us.

All in one, we can consider this material a reliable historical reference on slavery, updated to today’s
background by the lessons it teaches. Indeed, a masterpiece of photographing the world’s inner cruelty
which makes us reconsider our whole system of beliefs.
 The most important and major character in 12 Years a Slave is Solomon Northup himself.
He was born free in 1808, a son of a former slave. His education was very good taking
into consideration that he was a son of a slave. Solomon knew how to read and write and he
learned how to play the violin as well. During his childhood, he worked with his father as a
farmer. He married at the age of 21.They lived a normal life in Saratoga Springs, the state of
New York, his wife Anne and three children Elizabeth, Margaret and Alonzo. He worked his
way through life. He was a decent family man until that one night in 1841 when two
men, Merill Brown and Abram Hamilton, approached him and asked him to work for them
in circus because of his extraordinary violin playing. It sounded like a very good deal, he
only had to travel with them to Washington D.C. and he would make some money but
that did not come through. Solomon got sick not because of the drinking, he was not
intoxicated, so when he was going to see a doctor he lost his consciousness and the next morning
when he woke up he was alone, he was chained. They tricked him so they could kidnap
and sell him to slave masters. Solomon was then 33-year-oldman. Even though he was free,
working and living in the North, he was forcefully made something that he is not: a slave.