What Is The Theme Of 12 Years A Slave

12 Years a Slave, by Solomon Northup, may have been one of the most important accounts of slavery published. Solomon Northup was a free man, given the right at birth, before he was kidnapped and taken from his home in New York. Solomon believed he was being looked at for a job opportunity. The book starts in Saratoga Springs in 1841, the year where Solomon’s 12 years would start. Slavery is a subject that isn’t always a subject that is touched as often upon as it should be, mostly for how shameful the actions made were. During this period, it was hard to establish concrete traits in America. Solomon Northup’s account of slavery gave much detail to draw conclusions from during such an ambiguous time in America’s history. Unlike other slave …show more content…
This first hand account, along with others of its time to allow readers to formulate their own opinions on what was going on in America during the Antebellum period. Not long after 12 Years a Slave was published did America enter their Civil War. As Solomon said, the sins that were performed would not go unseen or unpunished. Northup allowed America to be seen under a new light. The detail of Northup’s story leaves the problems of slavery unable to be turned away from. Unlike our forefathers tried to, slavery should not be dismissed. It’s something the citizens of present day America should understand. This time period may always leave segregation between the people of this country, but they should all understand that freedom may not be taken for granted. During the Antebellum period, America had a lot of growing up to do. Northup allows readers understand the identity of America during a time where there were underlying civil tensions. The ideals of Americans could be categorized as ironic and hard to justify due to their undeniable faith. Northup’s first person point-of-view helps to demonstrate understanding of this period of time in America that shows traits of irony and