Film Analysis: '12 Years A Slave'

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Recommended: analysis of slavery in the united states

Tariq Vaid

ENGLISH 2342
Professor C. Robinson
11/02/2014
Essay 1
The movie adaptation “12 Years a Slave” was based on Solomon Northup’s memoir about his time as a slave. It shows the harsh reality of what the slaves went through, which was usually brutal, degrading, and inhumane. Solomon states “Slavery is an evil that should befall none” which is a sentiment which even during those times many people would agree with no matter what race. Slaves were whipped, lynched, sexually abused, and raped, for the most minor violations of rules set by the slave owners or just to show dominance. The lynching scene in the film was horrific and makes the viewer cringe at the brutality. Although ultimately Solomon receives outside help in order to free himself, it does not reinforce the notion of a “Great white savior” because it was Solomon that adapted and learned to survive over the 12 years which led to his freedom. …show more content…

This insinuates that people of color have no ability to rescue themselves. Although Solomon does ask a white Canadian worker to help him regain his freedom in these times it would have been hard or impossible to regain freedom without the help of a white person. This in no way reinforces the notion of the great white savior because it was Solomon that went through the struggle of surviving, which enables him to regain his freedom. Solomon Northup in the film starts out as a free man with a family, who is educated, refined, and plays the violin. He is then kidnapped and when he tries to protest that he is a free man he is brutally beat, stripped of his clothes, possessions, and name. His resilience and his battle to keep his dignity and respect are what ultimately lead to his

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