12 Years a Slave Essay examples - 1699 Words

The Gruesome Truth â€Å"My name is Solomon Northop, I am a free man residing in Saratoga, New York† CITATION McQueen \l 1033 (McQueen). Unfortunately at this point for Mr. Northop it would do no good for him to speak up, in fact, it did more harm than good. In the film 12 Years A Slave, the audience encounters the horrible kidnapping, based on a true story, of a free black man named Solomon Northop. This film is by no means easy to watch but it accurately portrays the life of slaves, and free blacks, who were caught up in the gruesome world of slavery. The history of Slavery in the American South is not a secret. African American people were treated like rag dolls; they were locked up in cages, sold off continuously for money, separated†¦show more content†¦This was the total opposite of another Master and plantation Northup experienced. Master Epps was a brutal disgusting man. He constantly abused his slaves, physically and verbally, and had sexual relations with the young women such as Patsy. Master Ford says, â€Å"He [Epps] prides himself on being a nigger-breaker† CITATION McQueen \l 1033 (McQueen). It is here that the audience is introduced to the severe beatings and mistreatment of the slaves. Edwin Epps welcomes his new slaves to his plantation, â€Å"And that servant who knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes†¦40, 100, 150 lashes† CITATION McQueen \l 1033 (McQueen). A slaves’ experience on a real life American south plantation was similar to the scenes in the movie. Living conditions were minimal, slaves were fed and clothed and sheltered only enough to keep them alive and well enough for work in the fields. As stated by abolitionist Frederick Douglas, â€Å"A city slave is almost a freeman compared with a slave on the plantation. He is much better clothed and enjoys privileges altogether unknown to the slave on the plantation† CITATION Boston \l 1033 (PBS). Plantation slaves, if they didn’t behave properly or do their work, they were most likely beaten with whips and lashes. For example in theShow MoreRelated12 Years a Slave Themes1497 Words   |  6 Pages12 Years a Slave Assignment The pain and abuse experienced by Solomon Northrup in his 12 years of slavery, like the millions of other slaves who were kidnapped in Africa and sold across the U.S., is a tragic example of the pain one society can inflict upon another group of people. The movie 12 Years A Slave graphically portrays the horrors of slavery in America, and demonstrates the shame of the system, using the incredible irony in the story of Solomon Northrup. Since he had a dpcument thatRead MoreEssay On 12 Years A Slave1170 Words   |  5 Pageshollywood blockbuster on how they turn fact into fiction. As always, I’m your host, Zodie Bolic. On tonight’s show, we will be analysing the portrayal of Solomon Northup in the movie ‘!2 Years A Slave’, based on Northup’s besting selling memoir of the same name. In ‘12 Years A Slave’, Solomon Northup, a 33 year old free black man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery. Northup, an accomplished violinist is drawn to Washington by the promise of money and employment by two men, latter to be his kidnappersRead MoreThe Movie 12 Years A Slave1875 Words   |  8 PagesIn the movie 12 Years a Slave, a young man named Solomon Upnorth was taken by two men after he was tricked into playing his violin for a circus. He was taken for 12 years total before his friends from up North came down, providing paperwork proving that he indeed was a free man. As slavery was a crucial time period that blacks went through, there are some common morals and values that the slave owners carried such as racial attitudes, roles of the demographic group, gender roles and also the charactersRead More12 Years a Slave Essay701 Words   |  3 Pages12 Years a Slave Author: Solomon Northup Forwarded By: Steve McQueen History 1301 October 7, 2013 The main idea of the book was to share with the reader and give a deeper understanding of what occurrences happened during the darkest periods in American history. The author shares his life during his twelve years, on a personal level, to be able to connect with his readers and show his perspective on his experiences during his time held captive as a slave. When taught about slaveryRead MoreThe Movie 12 Years A Slave1710 Words   |  7 PagesThe movie 12 Years a Slave is an accurate account of what it was like to be a slave or a free African American in the 1800’s. This movie was very detailed in what it was like to be an African American slave in the south showing the brutality and violence they suffered at the hands of the white man. Solomon Northup was born free in New York City and was captured and sold into slavery in the south. The practice of abducting free blacks from the north and selling them into slavery of the south wasRead MoreThe Film 12 Years A Slave1177 Words   |  5 PagesThe film 12 Years a Slave is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a black man born free. He is a wealthy man in New York and has a finesse at playing the fiddle. Two white men ask Northup to join their music group, to play the fiddle, but instead intoxicate him and sell him into slavery. Northup is sold to a Louisiana plantati on owner, and he is called â€Å"Platt†. Northup spends twelve years of hardship in Louisiana, working in a cotton plantation primarily, until he is eventually freed by hisRead More12 Year a Slave Essay1620 Words   |  7 PagesTwelve Years A Slave Essay During a time of cruel punishment and harsh conditions of life as a slave in the 19th century South, there was a book that shed a light on the life of a slave unparalleled in past as well as in modern literature. That book was entitled Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. Northup was born a freeman that was obtained from his father after being freed by the Northup family due to loyal service. Growing up in the free state of New York, Solomon was allowed an educationRead MoreSummary of 12 Years A Slave1900 Words   |  8 Pagestraveling musical show, but soon after he accepted, they drugged him and sold him into slavery. He was subsequently sold at auction in New Orleans. Northup served a number of masters—some brutally cruel and others whose humanity he praised. After years of bondage, he came into contact with an outspoken abolitionist from Canada, who sent letters to notify Northups family of his whereabouts. An official state agent was sent to Louisiana to reclaim Nor thup, and he was successful through a number ofRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1083 Words   |  5 Pages12 Years a Slave Change can sometimes be overwhelming for those who are used to being where they have been for a while. Change can be beneficial or it can be horribly uncomfortable to adjust to. Change can come through the minds that want a difference and it can also be forced upon someone like a hurricane or an unapproved marriage. One fact about change is that no matter how hard one tries to avoid it, it will eventually happen and there is nothing he/ she can do about it. It’s unavoidable. SometimesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie 12 Years A Slave 1429 Words   |  6 PagesIn 12 Years A Slave (2013), directed by Steve McQueen, the audience is provided with an understanding of characters, place and main character’s experience through mise-en-scene and cinematography. 12 Years a Slave surrounds a black man named Solomon Northup, who was sold into slavery in the 1850’s. It is a graphic retelling of a slave’s existence in Louisiana. The specific sequence used for analysis is one where Northup attempts to escape, but stumbles upon a lynching ritual. By use of cinematography