Critical Essay on Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

Introduction

The book was written by Solomon Northup's as he narrates his life story since when he existed as a free northern citizen who ended up being kidnaped and sold as a salve in the pre-civil war that occurred in the south. Northup was born free before being sold into slavery. He worked and lived in New York with his entire family working as a multifaceted laborer as well as a well-experienced violin player. Later in 1841, Northup met two con men who offered him work in a circus which became the turning point of his life (McQueen & Steve et al. 2014). H traveled with the two to Washington where he got kidnapped, drugged and marketed as a slave within the red river region, Louisiana where he worked as a slave for several masters until 1853 when he was freed by the northerners and returned to his home in New York. The essay aims at analyzing the compelling aspects of his book and the effects that his book has on its readers. It will also cover his life in bondage and how slavery has affected Northern society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Significant Aspects

The book is a startlingly credible account detailing the common slave experience as it occurred within the United States. The book is a masterpiece in that within the storyline all facts provided concerning places time, people and practices are accurate and verifiable. For example, he accuses a slave trader of keeping him locked up in Washington and identifies him by name, his accomplice and provides an exact location of the slave pen.

The book also serves as an indictment of human slavery and the practice of enslavement. Northup details the sufferings and abuses he endured and those that were inflicted on him as well those he was forced to inflict on others. Through his descriptions, he can provide a clear definition of the moral costs that slavery has on those affected by it and the society entirely. He explains how one is made to suffer and degraded through awful torture which robbed him of spiritual, physical and emotional riches. Additionally, he states that not only the slaves are affected by the activity but also the masters suffer a great deal which causes moral degradation and emotional desensitization. The slave masters were often affected in many ways; their religion was degraded and termed as hypocrisy, and the legacy of their families was denied necessary graces such as integrity justice and love (Link & William 2018).

Through the book, he expresses the consequences of chattel bondage and gives human faces to the practice which was once considered normal within the society. Through the book, he makes a powerful testimony on the power the human spirit has and the purpose of hope which fuels enduring determination. Solid proof that faith and hope can endure evil practices within society.

Impact of the Story on Readers

The book is a real-life narrative description of slavery from the perspective of a real slave. "As soon as these formidable whips appeared, I was seized by both of them, and roughly divested of my clothing. My feet, as has been stated, were fastened to the floor [...]. With the paddle, Burch commenced beating me. Blow after blow was inflicted on my naked body." The story depicts the existence of extreme violence which is central within the novel (McQueen & Steve et al. 2014). Judging from the book, it's clear that the master's authority was exhibited by brutally beating African American slaves. The slaves were subject by their owners to relentless psychological and physical violence. In his events description, the appearance of whips and shackles seems to occur frequently.

In most cases, the slave masters would subject them to whipping until he grew tired. The beatings often signified the acceptance of their new identity. Some of the events seem traumatic to the extent that even a reader can feel them. Northup compares them to the burning agonies of hell. The parts act as substantial evidence of the degree to which humans can become inhuman and cruel (Link & William 2018).

Factors Influencing Slavery Within Louisiana

Abolitionists, laws, and movements were put in place in Louisiana waging a biracial assault on slavery. However, their efforts proved to be ineffective in that some of the leaders in the groups and movements also acted as slave masters within the society. According to the book, most leaders within the groups partially supported slavery. They made use of the bible to justify their actions towards the slaves. "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." Making religion a significant factor within the story (McQueen & Steve et al. 2014). It acts as a potent reminder, or the role faith played in justifying slavery within states. The primary purpose of organizations and groups is to promote justice and equality within society. In this case, the groups were utilized for many functions including, as tools for oppression and resources for putting up resistance. The two have been used to maintain injustice by bending the laws to favor the masters and enslave African Americans.

Agricultural revolution was a significant factor contributing to the existence of slavery in the southern states. Cotton farms had increased extensively taking up millions of acres. The extension was brought about by the invention of the Gin. Due to the growth, the demand for slaves increased within the southern states with African American being forced to work at all kinds of jobs as field hands. "An ordinary day's work is two hundred pounds.... The hands are required to be in the cotton field as soon as if is light in the morning..." as cotton growing grew so did the need for slaves (McQueen & Steve et al. 2014). As society aimed at growth and development, slaves were a great tool in enabling them to achieve their dreams.

Effects of Slavery Within the Southern State

The southern society depended on the slaves entirely in the community, their economy as well as the personal needs of the family. Even to those who did not own slaves, their existence served as a source of satisfaction considering the sole fact that they were superior. The economy of the south benefited from the slave trade and cotton growing which played a significant role in promoting and developing societal and economical choices within society (Link & William 2018).

It presented both negative and positive effects on southern society. To the Yeomen, it led to little profit whereas wealthy plantation owners benefited extensively. Despite its flaws, slavery presented a necessary effect on the economy of the society as most of the slaves became part of the country.

Works Cited

Link, William A. North Carolina: Change and Tradition in a Southern State. John Wiley & Sons, 2018.

McQueen, Steve, et al. 12 years a slave. Francetelevisions distribution [ed., 2014.