Intelligence can be defined as many different things, whether that be how smart someone is or how one can keep themselves alive using during times of need. Lawrence Hill, the author of The Book of Negroes, presents his main character, Aminata Diallo, as a very intelligent and well-rounded woman who is able to survive a tough journey during the slave trade. Steve McQueen, the director of the film 12 Years a Slave, showcases Solomon Northup as a very talented and versatile character who manages to stay alive and reunite with his family. Although both medias have different stories, they share a common theme, survival aided by intelligence. Both sources of media showcase how the main characters in 12 Years a Slave and The Book of Negroes used their
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In 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup convinces his master, Epps, that an indentured white slave, Armsby is a drunken, untrustworthy and dumb person. He had to do this because when he wrote a letter to his family, he gave it to Armsby to send it for him. Armsby told Epps that Solomon wrote a letter and wanted to send it to his family, so Epps confronted Solomon and he talked to Epps in a persuasive manner so he did not get killed, (12 Years a Slave). Solomon presents his intelligence through his power of language by being able to talk about how bad a person Armsby is. He was able to think on the fly and completely deteriorate Armsby’s reputation, as well as how Epps viewed him. Solomon knows that Epps is very gullible and incoherent so he is able to morph his views to aid himself. This ultimately helps him stay alive and not be killed by Epps. Similarly, in The Book of Negroes, Aminata tells a British soldier that she requires a large amount of silver for her birthing services. She uses this persuasive language when talking to the soldier, “ ‘Ten shillings,’ he said. ‘It’s my fee.’ I was already thinking of warm clothes that I would buy. I needed thicker socks, a …show more content…
In 12 Years a Slave, it is identifiable that Solomon is very skilled with his hands. He has great engineering capabilities which showcase his great skillset. In the film, Solomon is telling Master Ford how it would be easier to use the waterway as mode of transportation rather than walking them all the way around the water. Tibeats does not like this idea because Solomon shows how smart he really is, but, Ford allows Solomon to execute his greatly engineered plan. Once Solomon’s plan is finished and it is shown just how good it is, Ford commends Solomon for his great work with a hand shake and laughter, (12 Years a Slave). In this scene, Solomon pleases Ford with his idea to move the goods over the water. This helps Solomon get onto Ford’s good side rather than his bad one. The good side Solomon has now been brought on can help him have special privileges over the other slaves. And this is exactly what happens. Later on in the film, Solomon and Tibeats fight and Tibeats wants to murder Solomon. Solomon’s engineering skill helped him in the long run because when Ford finds out that Tibeats wants to kill Solomon, Ford sends him to another plantation to keep him alive. This proves how Solomon’s great skill set helped him survive. If he was not intelligent and skilled, Tibeats may have killed him because Ford would not have given Solomon the
In 12 Years a Slave, Solomon Northup convinces his master, Epps, that an indentured white slave, Armsby is a drunken, untrustworthy and dumb person. He had to do this because when he wrote a letter to his family, he gave it to Armsby to send it for him. Armsby told Epps that Solomon wrote a letter and wanted to send it to his family, so Epps confronted Solomon and he talked to Epps in a persuasive manner so he did not get killed, (12 Years a Slave). Solomon presents his intelligence through his power of language by being able to talk about how bad a person Armsby is. He was able to think on the fly and completely deteriorate Armsby’s reputation, as well as how Epps viewed him. Solomon knows that Epps is very gullible and incoherent so he is able to morph his views to aid himself. This ultimately helps him stay alive and not be killed by Epps. Similarly, in The Book of Negroes, Aminata tells a British soldier that she requires a large amount of silver for her birthing services. She uses this persuasive language when talking to the soldier, “ ‘Ten shillings,’ he said. ‘It’s my fee.’ I was already thinking of warm clothes that I would buy. I needed thicker socks, a …show more content…
In 12 Years a Slave, it is identifiable that Solomon is very skilled with his hands. He has great engineering capabilities which showcase his great skillset. In the film, Solomon is telling Master Ford how it would be easier to use the waterway as mode of transportation rather than walking them all the way around the water. Tibeats does not like this idea because Solomon shows how smart he really is, but, Ford allows Solomon to execute his greatly engineered plan. Once Solomon’s plan is finished and it is shown just how good it is, Ford commends Solomon for his great work with a hand shake and laughter, (12 Years a Slave). In this scene, Solomon pleases Ford with his idea to move the goods over the water. This helps Solomon get onto Ford’s good side rather than his bad one. The good side Solomon has now been brought on can help him have special privileges over the other slaves. And this is exactly what happens. Later on in the film, Solomon and Tibeats fight and Tibeats wants to murder Solomon. Solomon’s engineering skill helped him in the long run because when Ford finds out that Tibeats wants to kill Solomon, Ford sends him to another plantation to keep him alive. This proves how Solomon’s great skill set helped him survive. If he was not intelligent and skilled, Tibeats may have killed him because Ford would not have given Solomon the