Solomon Northup, a Black American writer, used his own experiences as the basis for his autobiographical novel Twelve Years a Slave in the 19th century (Stevenson, 2014). The novel tells the story of Northup who was sold into slavery. Northup was originally a free black man living in New York. Two white men kidnapped Northup and sold him to slave traders. Northup lived as a slave for 12 years. With the help of Henry Northup and Samuel Bass, Northup was freed (Stevenson, 2014). Twelve Years a Slave reflects the values that differences between nations, races and genders must be respected.
Figure 1. Cover of 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is rooted in racist ideology. Slave owners often regarded slaves as irrational, merely animals with limited skills. Thus, they had no qualm about mistreating and exploiting black slaves (Li, 2014). In fact, when Northup talked to the black people about the unfair slavery, almost everyone expressed their desire for freedom. The film’s ending proves that the intelligence of blacks and their desire for a free life are enough to overturn the colonial discourse of blacks as “the Other”.
In addition to depicting the conditions of slavery, Twelve Years a Slave depicts black women under the oppression of both gender and race (Li, 2014). In this book, almost all women are images representing “the Other”. The novel focuses on Patsey and Mrs. Epps. They are “the Other” in a patriarchal society. Mrs. Epps was well educated, but she could not escape her husband’s oppression. Patsey, a female slave, is an outstanding girl, but slavery disguises her talent and light, leaving her in eternal darkness.
Twelve Years a Slave is set on the eve of the Civil War. This book reflects the slavery and sufferings of black people under the oppression of racism. Northup criticized the racist ideology and showed the living condition of black women oppressed by both racism and male centralism.
References
Li, S. (2014). 12 Years a Slave as a Neo-Slave Narrative. American Literary History, 26(2), 326-331.
Stevenson, B. E. (2014). 12 Years a Slave: Narrative, History, and Film. Journal of African American History, 99(1-2), 106-118.