Genovese and Northup

             Essay written by Joe Masters
             Slavery as a global institution tends to have an unreal aura surrounding it. Modern
             perspectives cannot be empathetic because it is not an institution even partially
             realized in the last century of American life. This is why even through reading Eugene
             Genovese's Roll, Jordan, Roll and examining most of the aspects of slave life, slavery
             still remains a mystery in the personal sense. Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave,
             in addition to being one of Genovese's own resources, fills this void with its brutally
             honest personal story of a slave's life. Northup's account enlightens and strengthens
             Genovese's arguments, specifically those concerning labor, the master-slave
             relationship, and rebellion, by putting global descriptions in a personal perspective.
             One of the main advantages of 12 Years a Slave is that Northup is a slave himself, and
             in that respect does not have to be an apologist for slavery and slaveholders. It is not
             that Genovese himself is an apologist, but as a modern Caucasian, he must approach
             the subject of casting any light that might be perceived as positive on slaveholders
             with trepidation. Although Genovese does his best to present a fair and accurate
             depiction of slavery, he cannot know the slaves' perceptions of their masters. It is
             really in this respect that Northup's account is so useful. By portraying slaveholders as
             people with human faults and sensibilities, he shows how the institution affects
             everyone involved. Slaveholders can still be good people, and that goodness shines
             through the peculiar institution. This is a vital piece of the story of slavery that
             Genovese cannot put in his comprehensive history. Northup's words must be left to
             stand alone, and draw specifics against a general background.
             The details of working cotton and sugar cane differ little from Genov...

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