Twelve Years a Slave · Question
How does Twelve Years a Slave develop the theme of Hypocrisy of American Freedom?
Answer
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup develops Hypocrisy of American Freedom across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The book contrasts the ideals of liberty in the Declaration of Independence and northern free states with the reality of chattel slavery, exposing the nation's moral contradiction through characters like Bass who argue for abolition.
By linking Northup's story to Stowe's work, the dedication highlights the contradiction between American ideals of liberty and the reality of chattel slavery.
The epigraph directly challenges the contradiction of a 'freeman' ruling as a despot over slaves, highlighting the hypocrisy of claiming freedom in a slaveholding society.
Solomon contrasts his birthright as a free man in a free state with the reality of being kidnapped and sold into slavery, highlighting the contradiction between American ideals and the institution of slavery.
Evidence in the book
- Dedication
By linking Northup's story to Stowe's work, the dedication highlights the contradiction between American ideals of liberty and the reality of chattel slavery.
- Epigraph
The epigraph directly challenges the contradiction of a 'freeman' ruling as a despot over slaves, highlighting the hypocrisy of claiming freedom in a slaveholding society.
- I
Solomon contrasts his birthright as a free man in a free state with the reality of being kidnapped and sold into slavery, highlighting the contradiction between American ideals and the institution of slavery.
- II
Solomon, a free man, is kidnapped in the nation's capital, highlighting the contradiction between American ideals and the reality of slavery.
- IV
Solomon is handcuffed and marched through Washington, the capital of a nation founded on liberty, past the tomb of Washington.
- Arrival at Norfolk and the Voyage to New Orleans
The kidnapping of free blacks like Arthur and the forced renaming of Solomon to Platt expose the hypocrisy of American ideals of liberty.
- VI
The slave trade operates openly in New Orleans, a city in a nation that professes liberty, while Eliza's hope for freedom is crushed.
- VII
Ford is portrayed as a kind Christian man who nonetheless owns slaves, highlighting the moral contradiction of slavery in a nation founded on liberty.
