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Twelve Years a Slave · Character

Armsby

A white man who betrays Solomon's escape plan.

minor

Also known as that Armsby

First appearance: xiii

Armsby's tie to Master Epps is one of the pressures that moves Twelve Years a Slave—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

A poor white man who betrays Solomon's confidence by revealing the letter plot to Epps, then leaves the bayou.
In the storyChapter XVIOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With Master Epps (professional): Armsby is a poor white man who betrays Platt's trust by reporting his escape plans to Epps. In Chapter XVI: A poor white man who betrays Solomon's confidence by revealing the letter…

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The fuller portrait of Armsby sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Armsby in xiii

Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Armsby sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

PEPeterJHJames H. BurchOCOverseer ChapinSNSolomon NorthupMEMaster EppsARArmsby

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Other

Character groups

  • Solomon's captors and betrayers
  • Plantation slaves and overseers
  • Protagonist

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the first real hope of deliverance after years of d…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Armsby in xiii

In the story

Armsby appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Armsby unlock in the free preview.

See Armsby in xiii