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Twelve Years a Slave · Character

Theophilus Freeman

The New Orleans slave trader who sells Solomon with the same brisk efficiency he uses to separate Eliza from her children and call it business.

supporting

Also known as Freeman, Mr. Theophilus Freeman, Theophilus

First appearance: Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans

As a supporting figure in Twelve Years a Slave, Theophilus Freeman is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Consignee who receives Burch's gang in New Orleans; forces Solomon to answer to the name Platt.
In the storyArrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New OrleansOpen this moment free
See Theophilus Freeman in Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New OrleansBook page

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Freeman runs a slave pen where human beings are stripped, inspected, and priced, and he prides himself on moving inventory quickly. He enlarges on Solomon's musical attainments to close a sale, then turns on Eliza with…

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

See Theophilus Freeman in Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans

Character Web

31 connections

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

ELElizabethLELittle EmilyPLPlattBABassMTMaster TibeatsTFTheophilus Freeman

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Other

Character groups

  • Solomon's captors and betrayers
  • Solomon's rescuers and allies
  • Plantation slaves and overseers

+26 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

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…

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Relationships

Relationship notes

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

See Theophilus Freeman in Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans

In the story

Theophilus Freeman appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Theophilus Freeman in Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans
See Theophilus Freeman in Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans
Who is Theophilus Freeman in Twelve Years a Slave?