...12 Years a Slave Review 12 Years a slave was a movie full of powerful images depicting the infamous time period in the United States of America. The director Steve McQueen did a phenomenal job portraying slavery with powerful scenes. The main character, Solomon Northup, goes through a brutal 12 years being separated from his beloved family, despite his identity in the north. His true identity would only lead to him getting beaten harder. The movie best portrayed that slavery in the south was pure terror for African Americans. Steve McQueen fearlessly tackles the subject of slavery with character development. Solomon Northup is an educated free man up north. Solomon is also well respected violin player, but would lead him to being tricked into being brought down south as a slave. He wakes up from a night of joy to a cold prison cell. He slowly has to learn to answer insults or whippings in silence. The slave owner, Epps, is a plantation owner who is a diabolical man trying to break slaves, and especially Solomon. Epps would use other slaves to break each other down. Slaves performing their job well would be subject to torments of hell. Epps would go as far to make his slaves whip other slaves. Solomon is forced to whip his friends, with brutal strength. The emotion of each lash was far more than unsettling. McQueen would show Epps with the whip, soon later the camera spins around to show the obscene violence and flesh from the...
Words: 254 - Pages: 2
..."12 Years A Slave" is a true autobiography about an African American man named Solomon Northup who is deceived and kidnapped and sold into slavery. He does everything in his power to try get back home to his family. Solomon Northup was a free man before he had become a slave. He would play his fiddle at gatherings and special events for the cause. Playing the fiddle was his passion, yet he was receiving little money from it. Solomon didn't get a lot of gigs which meant not a lot of money was coming in to support his family, but he was offered a job to play music all around the world by two men. His wife, Anne Northup was offered a job as a cook for a wealthy family, but Solomon didn't want her to take the job. Eventually Solomon gives his...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...Nischal Aryal Prof. Vandament Hist. 1301-73009 (11:00) April 20, 2016 Movie Review 12 Years a Slave Director Steve McQueen directed a masterpiece movie resembling the life story of a African American Solomon Northup a free man, is kidnapped and forced into slavery under the name 'Platt' for 12 years. Based on a true an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom, “12 Years a Slave” is a historical movie explaining a picture perfect definition of Slave Culture in Pre-Civil War United States. A freeman in upstate Saratoga Springs, New York in the antebellum era, Solomon Northrup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his family live an exceedingly regular kind of life – they have jobs, their own home, plenty of friends (both black and white) – and while the emerging specter of slavery is occasionally present, it’s not something that appears to impact Solomon’s individual sense of freedom on a daily basis. Until he was tricked into journeying down to Washington, D.C. to play the violin for a pair of glorified circus tramps, Solomon is drugged and sold into slavery – he literally wakes up one morning in shackles. Waking up in chains and shackles after being kidnapped Solomon was taken to the slave dealer James H. Birch (Pronounced as Bruch in movie), where he tried to convince Bruch that he was a free man but dealer denied to take his shackles off instead called other guy who brutally whipped him with a paddle until it broke and then with a cat-o'-nine tails, delivering...
Words: 394 - Pages: 2
...12 Years as a Slave is a film about real life events of a free African American man, Solomon Northup who is captured and sold into slavery for 12 years. The film takes us through Northup’s 12 years as a slave. In the film, you get to vividly see the cruelty, kindness and struggle to freedom that Solomon receives and observes from his masters as the years went by. Through his life as a slave he also gets to meet and interact with other slaves. In the beginning, Solomon Northup lives with his family in New York City and works as a violinist. He meets two men who promise him a two week music job in Washington DC. However, they intoxicate him with alcohol, drugs and sell him as a slave under the name Platt. At first, Northup tries to inform his captures of his kidnapping but his efforts are futile, and he ends up in more trouble that involves beatings and starvation. In view of this, he decides to be cooperative and agrees that his name is Platt and that he is a slave. Northup is first sold to a plantation owner, William Ford in New Orleans. Northup works hard, and he even creatively engineers a waterway for transporting logs across the swamp. William Ford is impressed with this and he in turn rewards Northup with a violin. Ford's carpenter, John Tibeats is jealous about this and in his attempt to beat Northup, ends up with him being beaten up instead. John Tibeats and his friends decide to torture Northup but Ford interrupts them and in his attempted to save Northup's life sells...
Words: 727 - Pages: 3
...12 YEARS A SLAVE • Solomon Northup – violinist mistakenly turned into slave. • William Ford -- plantation owner/Solomon’s first Owner. • John Tibeats – Overseer who bullied Solomon. • Edwin Epps – Solomon’s second Owner • Patsey – Slave who was sexually abused. • Mary Epps – Edwin’s Wife • Armsby -- a white field hand and former over-seer • Bass -- a Canadian laborer SUMMARY The Movie “12 years a slave” is a fully detailed movie about slavery. It brings in scene African-American man working as a violinist named Solomon, Who was tricked by two men offering him a two-week job as a musician if he will travel to Washington, D.C. with them, but before Solomon knew what was going on he was drugged and sold in as a slave locked up with chains around his body. He was shipped to New Orleans and was renamed "Platt", the identity of a runaway slave from Georgia. Beaten repeatedly, he is ultimately purchased by plantation owner William Ford, Solomon went through being bullied and moved around for 12 years until he finally was being able to reach out to friends in New York that was able to confirm his New York Residency as being real. PROBLEMS Sexual Harassment, A young female slave named Patsey who picks over 500 pounds daily which is over the minimum pounds allowed daily, and is praised lavishly by Epps. He also repeatedly rapes her, and seems to fall in love with her against his better judgment. Epps' wife is envious of Patsey and frequently humiliates...
Words: 571 - Pages: 3
...Daniel Bochner Prof. Balcerski HIS 2204 – Spring 2014 When watching the film “12 Years a Slave,” one particular theme stood out to me. When Solomon is on the ship bound for New Orleans, he and two other slaves are discussing their options. One of the other men said that hope is lost and that if Solomon wanted to survive he should tell no one he can read and write. Solomon’s response is “I don’t want to survive, I want to live.” As we watch Solomon’s journey unfold, we see him sold into slavery to William Ford and then again to Edward Epps. Although both slave owners, Epps and Ford were dissimilar in every way when it came to their treatment of slaves. Where Ford was kind and appreciative, Epps was cruel and unyielding. Ford showed appreciation for his slaves work and acknowledged their intelligence. Epps regarded them as subhuman creatures. We see Ford’s kindness after he cuts down Solomon from the tree and is protecting him in his home with a rifle from the wrath of the slave driver Tibaut, who was seeking revenge when Solomon had fought back and beaten him. Epps would beat his slaves on a nightly basis if they did not meet their quotas. He would also sexually abuse his most productive slave Patsey. The stark contrast in Solomon’s experience as a slave is only in the way he was treated. A kind master is always better than a cruel one, but a master is a master nonetheless. Under Ford, Solomon found it easier to survive than under Epps, but he was unable to live under...
Words: 576 - Pages: 3
...E is for Elias I was going to use “empathy” for my word for today. But Elias, my ten-year-old firstborn son has taught me so much, I would be remiss to leave him out. Being a mother has changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s brought out all sorts of fears and anxieties, but it also helped me rediscover my creative, fun-loving side. I do things for Elias that I would not do for anyone else, even myself. He’s curious, enthusiastic, kind, smart, generous and forgiving. I could go on all day, but I will spare you too much of the proud mom talk. He makes me want to be a better parent, a better person. He teaches me more about forgiveness and kindness than I could ever hope to teach him. One day when he was in first grade, I was walking him to his classroom. If you have a boy, you know that when they see wide open spaces, this screams to them RUN! So instead of walking nicely beside me all the way to his class (and what boy does that anyway?), he ran ahead of me. When I finally caught up to him, I took him aside and lit into him with a lecture about walking with me, not running down the hall, yada yada yada. He said not a word the whole time, just stood there and looked at me. When I was done, he stood there for a second, looked right at me, and gave me a big hug before going off to class. Talk about feeling like a schmuck. Now that he’s ten, he does get mad at us more often, but it never lasts long. In five minutes, he’s back to normal, asking ten million random questions...
Words: 361 - Pages: 2
...12 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 slavery, students can grasp, understand and feel how slaves felt back during the 1800s. Slaves were brutally beaten and worked from dusk till dawn. Slave masters had no mercy on their slaves; they would beat them till they were close to death. This is in fact true, what students are taught gives only one perspective of how slaves were treated. Because of this perspective that was planted in their minds, students begin to feel sorry and grateful that they were not born during that era. But one cannot just base their thoughts on just one thing; the whole picture must be seen in order to understand. Born and raised as a free man, Solomon Northup was framed, robbed of his free papers, and was sold into slavery. When Northup was taken into slavery, his first master, William Ford, was a kind master. He spoke only good things and encouraged his slaves to do better. Ford was rare; there were not many masters like him. Ford was kind to his slaves; he never beat them with a whip or humiliated them...
Words: 691 - Pages: 3
...The film, 12 Years a Slave, was based on the nonfiction novel 12 Years a Slave, written in 1853, depicting the life of Solomon Northup after he was abducted from his home in New York and forced into slavery. The film was released 2013, directed and produced by Steve McQueen, and written by award-winning John Ridley. Furthermore, the movie has won numerous awards in the past two years, including an Oscar for best motion picture and a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor. It has also been nominated for a multitude of awards at both the Oscars and Golden Globes and innumerable other award ceremonies. In addition, 12 Years a Slave starred some of the most famous names in television and film, including Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup,...
Words: 976 - Pages: 4
...THIS IS MY TAKE ON 12 YEARS A SLAVE IT HAS A SUBLIMINAL MESSAGE, AN ESOTERIC CONNOTATION BEHIND IT THAT MOST MAY NOT UNDERSTAND. THIS OF COURSE, IS MY VIEW...AND THIS OF COURSE DOES NOT GUARANTEE IT TO BE TRUE. HOWEVER TO THE EXTENT OF WHICH I AM TO EXPRESS MY OPINIONS ARE BASED ON MY OWN STUDY, IN WHICH THAT STUDY IS BASED ON THE INFORMATION OF SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS IN THE SUBJECT MATTER. ALTHOUGH MY INQUIRY INTO THE SUBJECT TO BE DISCUSSED IS IN DEVELOPING STAGE, I ASK THAT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE TO WATCH IT AND TELL ME WHAT THEY THINK. THIS MOVIES IS ON THE SURFACE TELLS THE STORY OF A FREE MAN WHO WAS TAKEN BY TWO WHITE MEN AND SOLD INTO SLAVERY. IT DESCRIBES THE HORRORS IN WHICH HE ENDURED, AND OTHERS IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT HAD ENDURED ALONG WITH HIM. BUT THIS IS NOT THE LEGITIMATE MESSAGE OF THE MOVIE. WHY HAVE SOLOMONS STORY BEEN TOLD BEFORE NOW? ALTHOUGH IT IS SAID TO HAVE A HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL IMPLICATIONS WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ALL MESSAGES ARE CODED, AS ONE TALE THAT MEANS ONE THING ON THE SURFACE AND SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BENEATH IT. THIS MESSAGE IN THE MOVIE IS DIRECTED FOR THE MASONS OF AMERICA. NOTICE, THE MAIN CHARACTERS NAME IS SOLOMON.SOLOMON IS THE TEMPLE IN WHICH THE MASONS ARE PREPARING TO BUILD. SOLOMON IS BEFRIENDED BY TWO WHITE GUYS WEARING "TOP HATS", INDICATIVE OF MASONIC IDENTITY. HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THESE WHITE GUYS BECAUSE HE PLAYS THE VIOLIN, WHICH IS REFERRED TO AS THE FIDDLE". THE FIDDLER IS THE MAN WHO PLAYS...
Words: 1041 - Pages: 5
...survives the darkness of loosing everything. This book was called 12 years a slave by Solomon Northup. This book is an auto biography about a part of his life when he had to fight for his given freedom by law. This story is an auto biography because it’s a true story that is written by he (Solomon Northup) I could say that this book attracted me because it looked so amazing I couldn't wait to read it. But no the reality of it was i hated reading i picked it because i saw it had a tag on it now a major motion picture. I thought “oh perfect i can just watch the movie for my oral book talk” i did not even think i was going to read it. How i read it was a got a sight of pure bordom in a long drive to my grandmothers and it was only me and the book. I picked it up and read the first few pages and those few pages turned in to many. I couldent stop reading it, the book was glorius . His way of using casual words and turning them into deep words that make you undersatnd ever emotion he was feeling, every thought i could hear. Surprisingly i never watched the movie and i may never becuase the book satisfied wih just reading....
Words: 672 - Pages: 3
...In the book 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup describes his experience in slavery. Solomon was born a free man. He lived in New York with his wife and three children. In March of 1841 Solomon was kidnapped and sold to a slave trader named James H. Burch. Burch brutally beats Solomon for stating that he is a free man. Solomon was sold into slavery and remained a slave in the Deep South for twelve years. He worked hard to refrain from being wiped by his masters. Solomon came across a man named Bass from Canada. Bass assisted him in gaining his freedom by sending a letter for help. He finally regained his freedom and was reunited with his family in 1853. Solomon Northup shares his interesting story by informing the reader the truth about slavery. Some individuals may believe that Solomon’s story is exaggerated, the reader can use the evidence in the book to determine their own opinion. Solomon does not comment on his views on slavery. He feels that others are entitled to develop their own views by the details in this story. It is important for the reader to take into consideration his time as a free man. This gives the reader an opportunity to recognize his appreciation to freedom....
Words: 652 - Pages: 3
...The movie 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve Mcqueen in my opinion is one the best films that show the life of slavery from back in the day. This film, which had been made in relation to its book, tells of the true story of the events that had took place during Solomon Northup’s life. Not only does this film go in depth about what it was like to be a slave, but it indeed goes into how they had faced major inequalities in their life. Solomon Northup, who was played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, lived a life as a talented violinist up in the North, until one day it had all changed for him. Northup was took from his normal, free life and sold into slavery in the south where he would not be free. The movie follows the events of his life that take...
Words: 309 - Pages: 2
...Solomon Northup, born as a free man to an emancipated slave, recalls his accounts of being sold into slavery and the torturous life he lived, in the autobiography 12 Years a Slave. Solomon lived in upper New York where he married a woman and began his family. Solomon was a talented fiddle player. Two con men offered him work in the circus playing the fiddle. They rejoiced at his skills; however, they took him to a restaurant, drugged him and then sold him into the deep south. For 12 years he was a slave named Platt. He started on a plantation where he was close to the end as he was almost hung by a slave patroller and two other men. He was then sent to a different plantation because it was no longer safe for Platt there. He was sent to a new cotton plantation where he was not treated well at all. At this stay, he was whipped many times. He made friends with a girl named Patsey and they helped each other survive. He also made friends with a white man from Canada. He told this man of his freedom and how he wished this man would write a letter to his family up north to send him his freedom papers. Not long after the man left, men from the North came down to the deep south and retrieved Solomon, taking him back to New York and to his home to be reunited with his family....
Words: 540 - Pages: 3
...to do, and he works a lot and also hard. He is very strong psychical, and he is smart. When the slaves including Solomon arrived at the first farm, kept Solomon speaking about his life a freeman and he was a famous artist. The slavers wanted to erase his past, so they changed his name from Solomon Northup, to Platt. The first plantation with the owner Ford, were almost a “pleasure” for Platt, because Ford were known to treat his slaves well. But because of some problem with the economy, Platt had to be sold, and so did he. He were sold to John Tibeats, a man who were known to be cruel against his slaves. - Mr. Ford Under the circumstances he’s a respectful slaver. He treats his slaves with kindness and respect. Unfortunately his accompanied with a strict overseer with a bad temper. After an incident with the unfair overseer, Solomon is forced to transfer to the horrid slaver Mr. Epps. - Mr. Epps - Mrs. Epps A very cruel slaver, who treats his slaves like they’re not human beings. He believes that comparing a white man and a black man would be the same as comparing a white man to a bamboo(monkey). He has a very weird relationship with the slave Patsy. He looks down on her but also desires her. Mrs. Epps is very jealous of Patsy and want her husband to disown Patsy. But when she asks him he reveals that he finds Patsy more desirable than her. - Patsy The favoured slave of Mr. Ebbs. She’s quite talented in the cotton field. She’s the...
Words: 421 - Pages: 2
