Themes and elements in 12 Years of Slavery by Solomon Northup (1855)

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Themes and elements in 12 Years of Slavery by Solomon Northup (1855)

12 Years a Slave is narrative by Solomon Northup in 1855. The narrative describes the family of Northup who later get kidnapped and works in cotton plantation, in the Red River County, in Louisiana. Northup father was also enslaved and freed after moving to New York. Northup married a woman of mixed ancestry on Christmas Day and had three children (Solomon 47). Northup was sold into slavery by two men who offered him a travelling musical show. Northup severed many masters that he praised some and condemned others. Northup lived a devastating life in cotton plantation where he faced brutal and cruel masters (Follett 14). After many years of slavery, Northup received help from a Canadian abolitionist who assisted him in tracing his family. An official State report was released for freeing of Northup. Northup filed charges for the kidnappers but died before the end of the trial (Follett 23).

The movie “12 Years a Slave” is a historical drama that relates with novel “12 Years a Slave” by Solomon Northup. Steven McQueen is the director of the slavery film whose theme is from a true story (Fuller par 3). Northup had two children and wife. He maintained his family with earnings from violinist. The story-line talks on pre-civil war in United Stated where Solomon Northup was abducted and sold into slavery. Northup faced cruelty from the slave owner, Edwin Epps. Northup worked as a slave for twelve years then had a golden chance to meet with a Canadian abolitionist, Bass. On the other hand, the movie starts with slaves receiving instructions on how to cut sugar cane grass. Northup has flashbacks of his family during the happy moments and his career as a violinist. The flashback ends when the traitors leave Northup in the cell where he get accused as a runaway from Georgia (Fuller par 7).

The original elements in the novel are slavery, the main character Solomon Northup, Ford, and Edwin Epps (Solomon 84). The movie.............