Northup, Solomon. 12 Years A Slave. Originally published in 1853 by Derby & Miller. (240 pages)
12 Years A Slave, by Solomon Northup is a memoir and personal narrative about the hardships of slavery during the 1800’s. An autobiography written jam packed with several specific accounts of mistreatment in the black community. While reporting, Solomon did not want to provide any bias or discrepancies in the story. To prove that there has been no alteration in the story he has been asked to repeat the story several times, but without even the slightest of change there is no reason to believe otherwise. He has “also carefully perused the manuscript, dictating an alteration wherever the most trivial inaccuracy has appeared.” –David Wilson (editor). …show more content…
The story simply goes along in chronological order which allows myself, the reader, to easily understand what is taking place. Solomon Northup being a very well educated man takes on some very sophisticated language in his writing. Having previous high class education affected the way the author wrote this book. Another factor to take into consideration while reading was the time when it was written. “I dare not show any lenity.” Several times throughout the book Solomon uses subtle hints as to when this autobiography was written by the way he words certain things. The reading level of this book would be considered very high as knowledge of complex language and ability to understand writing from previous era’s is needed. The evidence presented in this book is extremely believable as the editor’s preface confirms all doubts someone may have as this is an autobiography. 12 Years A Slave proves to be a very educational piece of literature as the reader is put through two perspectives of life. The view of a free man and a slave shows two very diverse sides of life. This book is very shocking and educational as we see what the truth is behind the unfair life of slavery. There is several scenes that left a lasting sight in my head because of the vision used in the writing. A scene where Solomon had acted out towards his master and in punishment was subject to death by being hung from a tree. “As the sun approached the meridian that day it became insufferably warm. Its hot rays scorched the ground. The earth almost blistered the foot that stood upon it. I was without a hat, standing bald headed, exposed to the burning blaze.” Barely staying alive by the very tips of his toes, Solomon was in for a tough ride for survival. This story is educational for all audiences as the truths of slavery are
12 Years A Slave, by Solomon Northup is a memoir and personal narrative about the hardships of slavery during the 1800’s. An autobiography written jam packed with several specific accounts of mistreatment in the black community. While reporting, Solomon did not want to provide any bias or discrepancies in the story. To prove that there has been no alteration in the story he has been asked to repeat the story several times, but without even the slightest of change there is no reason to believe otherwise. He has “also carefully perused the manuscript, dictating an alteration wherever the most trivial inaccuracy has appeared.” –David Wilson (editor). …show more content…
The story simply goes along in chronological order which allows myself, the reader, to easily understand what is taking place. Solomon Northup being a very well educated man takes on some very sophisticated language in his writing. Having previous high class education affected the way the author wrote this book. Another factor to take into consideration while reading was the time when it was written. “I dare not show any lenity.” Several times throughout the book Solomon uses subtle hints as to when this autobiography was written by the way he words certain things. The reading level of this book would be considered very high as knowledge of complex language and ability to understand writing from previous era’s is needed. The evidence presented in this book is extremely believable as the editor’s preface confirms all doubts someone may have as this is an autobiography. 12 Years A Slave proves to be a very educational piece of literature as the reader is put through two perspectives of life. The view of a free man and a slave shows two very diverse sides of life. This book is very shocking and educational as we see what the truth is behind the unfair life of slavery. There is several scenes that left a lasting sight in my head because of the vision used in the writing. A scene where Solomon had acted out towards his master and in punishment was subject to death by being hung from a tree. “As the sun approached the meridian that day it became insufferably warm. Its hot rays scorched the ground. The earth almost blistered the foot that stood upon it. I was without a hat, standing bald headed, exposed to the burning blaze.” Barely staying alive by the very tips of his toes, Solomon was in for a tough ride for survival. This story is educational for all audiences as the truths of slavery are