Twelve Years a Slave · Theme

Deception and Betrayal

How Twelve Years a Slave develops Deception and Betrayal.

Solomon's kidnapping is enabled by the deceit of strangers who pose as friends, and later by the betrayal of a white man he confides in, illustrating how trust is weaponized to maintain slavery.

Where it surfaces

II
Brown and Hamilton feign friendship and generosity to lure Solomon into captivity, drugging him and selling him into slavery.
IV
Eliza is deceived by Jacob Brooks, and Solomon is tricked into slavery despite being a free man.
Chapter XVI
Armsby's betrayal of Solomon's trust and Solomon's own use of lies to deflect suspicion highlight the pervasive deceit in the slave system.
Chapter XVII
Lew Cheney is described as a traitor who betrays the insurrection plot.