# Corruption of Power in Twelve Years a Slave

> Theme guide for Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.

Slaveholders like Epps and Tibeats are depicted as morally degraded by absolute power, using violence and cruelty to dominate, while a few kind masters like Ford show that humanity can exist within the system.

## Where it surfaces

- [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/xiv): The murder of a man from Natchez and the feud between Marshall and Epps illustrate how unchecked power and violence corrupt individuals and communities.
- [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/chapters/xxii): The acquittal of Burch through false testimony and legal manipulation illustrates the corruption of power within the judicial system.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/themes/corruption_of_power
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/themes