Questions and Answers
Who did Northup trust would help him mail a letter to his family?
Armsby
What did Armsby do instead of mailing the letters?
He told Northup's master Epps about the letter.
How did Northup get out of getting in trouble for trying to send letters to his family?
Northup lied and said Armsby made it up.
What does 'spare the rod' mean?
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What does Northup get in trouble for saying?
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What does Epps do after hearing Northup's comment?
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Who does Epps stab while drunk one night?
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Who helped the slave that was stabbed?
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How did Mistress Epps help Uncle Abram?
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To whom was the book dedicated?
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When was the book published?
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What state was Northup a citizen of?
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To where did Northup trace his ancestry?
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What was Northup's father's name?
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What was the name of the attorney that later helps Northup gain his freedom?
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How did his family gain freedom?
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Who did Northup marry and what did his wife do for a job?
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Why does the fact that Northup can swim prove later that he is free?
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Why did Northup go to Canada and what job was he doing at that time?
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How many children did Northup have? Give the name and age of each.
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What talent does Northup have that is useful in making extra money?
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What year was he taken in?
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Who kidnapped Northup and how did they get him to go with them?
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Why didn't Northup leave a letter to his wife about where he was going?
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What did the men who kidnapped him tell him to go get before leaving New York?
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What was happening in Washington at the time Northup was there?
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How did Northup's kidnappers kidnap him?
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Where is Northup when he wakes up?
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Who is James H. Burch?
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Why is Northup beaten/whipped for the first time?
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Who is Eliza and what are the names of her two children?
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Define irony.
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What is ironic about Williams Slave Pen?
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At the second slave pen whom does Northup meet and what do they have in common?
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What character roles do Northup and this new slave have?
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What ship are Northup and the other slaves put on?
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What state are they in when they are put on the ship?
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What is the main cargo on the ship they are on?
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What does Northup do for his fellow slaves at Freeman's Slave Pen and why is this so important to them?
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What do we find out eventually happens to Burch?
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Who is Arthur and what does he have in common with both Northup and Robert?
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What is Northup's first new name?
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What character roles are Northup and Arthur?
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What do Northup and Arthur plan to do?
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What does Northup figure out about the overturned, small boat on the bow of their ship?
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What happens that spoils their plans?
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Who is John Manning and what does he agree to do for Northup?
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What fact about John Manning makes Northup trust him more than others?
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Why is the letter an image?
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What happens to Arthur when their boat lands?
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What is Northup's second new name and why does it need to be changed?
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How does a possible buyer check a slave?
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What did scars on a slave's back show?
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What happens to Randall?
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What happens to nearly all of the slaves on the ship that night?
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For how much was Northup finally sold?
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Why is Eliza so sad when she hears she is being bought but not Emily?
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Why will Theophilus Freeman not sell Emily?
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What theme is developed during the scene when Eliza is separated from her children?
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What does Northup say about Eliza?
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Who is Northup's first master and how much does he pay for Northup?
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What did Northup's master do as a job?
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How does Northup compare his first master to masters later to come?
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What does Northup say about the way a master treats his slaves and the amount of work the slaves produce?
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What does Northup do to make him known as the 'Fulton of Indian Creek'?
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Why are the other plantation owners mad at Ford for giving/allowing his slaves to have Bibles?
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Why does Ford read the Bible to his slaves?
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Who is known as a 'Jack of all Trades'?
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How does Northup describe John M. Tibeats?
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Why is Northup sold to Tibeats?
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Who was Northup's overseer?
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What does Northup do to Tibeats that makes Tibeats hate him?
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What do Tibeats and two other people begin to do to Northup?
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Why does Chapin defend Platt?
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Why doesn't Chapin take the ropes off of Northup?
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How is Chapin a foil to Tibeats?
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Why does Ford tell Northup not to sleep in the slave cabins, but in the house that night?
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Why could Tibeats murder Northup in front of many slaves yet none of them could testify against him in court?
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How is Peter Tanner related to William Ford?
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How are Ford and Tanner foils?
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What does Peter Tanner tell Northup to do to some other slaves?
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What does Tibeats try to do to Northup?
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What type of allusion is: 'It is I, be not afraid.'?
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What is different about Northup than most other slaves, and how does this help him escape from the dogs?
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How does Northup get back to Ford's house?
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What does Northup do while healing/resting?
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Who does Tibeats temporarily sell Northup to?
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What happens to slaves that are found without a pass?
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What do we learn happens to Eliza?
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Who is Northup's next owner?
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How is Epps different from Ford?
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What bad habit does his new owner have and what does he do to his slaves at these times?
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How much is an ordinary day's work of cotton?
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Who is the best cotton-picking slave Epps had?
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What was Northup bad at?
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List the average amount of whips a slave would receive for different mistakes.
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How long was Northup a slave to Epps?
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Why was Patsey whipped so much?
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What is a 'Guinea ******' and why is Patsey proud of being one?
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Why was Mrs. Epps jealous of Patsey?
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How did Northup get food when he and the other slaves weren't fed because of a lack of food?
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What did Northup say the qualities for an overseer/driver were?
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How did Northup please both Epps and the slaves in the field while he was a driver?
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Study Notes
Book Dedication and Publication
- Dedicated to Harriet Beecher Stowe.
- Published in 1853.
Solomon Northup's Background
- Northup was a citizen of New York.
- Ancestry traced to slaves in Rhode Island.
- Father's name: Mintus Northup.
- Family gained freedom through his owner's will.
Family Information
- Married Anne Hampton, who worked as a cook.
- Had three children: Elizabeth (10), Margaret (8), and Alonzo (5).
Freedom Indicators
- Northup's swimming ability indicated his freedom, as slaves were not taught to swim.
- Worked in the rafting business, reinforcing his status as a free man.
Kidnapping
- Northup was kidnapped in 1841 by men named Brown and Hamilton who falsely claimed to be from a circus.
- Did not leave a letter for his wife due to the assumption he would return before her.
Events Following Kidnapping
- Kidnappers instructed Northup to obtain free papers before leaving New York.
- Witnessed the funeral of General Harrison in Washington, DC.
- Kidnapped by drugging; woke up in shackles at Williams Slave Pen.
Slave Pen Experiences
- Met James H. Burch, a slave trader who owned Northup temporarily.
- Whipped for asserting his freedom, as Burch wanted to prevent him from sharing that truth.
Slave Encounters
- Met Eliza, a fellow slave, with her children Randall and Emily at the slave pen.
- Irony of the slave pen's existence in Washington, DC, a city built on principles of liberty.
Shipping to Slavery
- Transported on the ship "Orleans" while the main cargo was tobacco.
- Carved initials on tin cups for fellow slaves, establishing ownership and identity.
Escape Plans
- Developed an escape plan with fellow slaves Arthur and Robert, hindered by Robert's death from smallpox.
Communication with Family
- John Manning, a sailor from Canada, agreed to send a letter to Northup's family, increasing trust in him due to his anti-slavery stance.
Second Stage of Slavery
- Northup sold for $1,000 to William Ford, a kind slave owner who was a preacher and mill owner.
- Kind treatment from Ford resulted in better work performance from enslaved individuals.
Shift to Cruelty
- Sold to John M. Tibeats due to Ford's debts; described Tibeats as cruel and short-tempered.
- Tibeats tried to hang Northup after a conflict; Chapin intervened legally to prevent his murder.
Themes of Survival and Trust
- Northup concealed his vulnerability and endured hardships for survival.
- Affected by the actions of others, including the betrayal by Armsby who failed to send a letter.
Life Under Epps
- Sold to Mr. Epps, characterized by cruel treatment and habitual drinking.
- Epps favored certain slaves, creating a toxic environment fueled by jealousy and abuse.
Impact of Cotton Picking
- 200 lbs of cotton considered an ordinary day's task; Patsey was noted as the best cotton picker.
- Northup struggled with cotton-picking and faced severe punishment for perceived laziness.
Psychological Manipulations
- Northup adapted his behavior as a driver to satisfy both slaves and Epps, a survival strategy.
- He faced punishment for voicing desire to be sold, showcasing the constant threat of violence in slavery.
Conclusion and Final Struggles
- Northup's letter to family remained unfulfilled due to betrayal, reinforcing the theme of mistrust.
- Commanded a multi-layered experience of friendship, betrayal, and survival within the confines of slavery.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key aspects of '12 Years a Slave' with these flashcards. This study guide covers important facts like the dedication, publication date, and Northup's origins. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this powerful narrative.