Subjects:
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
. . .
always a line to be a drawn where the whipping is counter-productive, but Northup is in
a unique position to show that it was an effective tool that could be used with all
property alike to advantageous results. He hires out Northup's violin playing for money and entertains his wife and
friends with his slaves.
Northup has two decidedly different types of feelings about his various masters, but
they resonate along the same theme: fear. These specific elucidations
of Genovese's general work theme strengthen his thesis and make slavery a much more
personal experience. In contrast, Northup would agree with the paternalistic self-view of some
masters. He
does not want to influence the history of slavery by making it overly preachy or
emotional. When Genovese
discusses labor, he seems to focus mainly on the southern idea that slaves are lazy.
Genovese describes the difficulties of rebellion and escape, but Northup really captures
the helplessness of the slave.
Epps is certainly not a paternalistic figure as he whips his slaves in submitting to his
many whims. So when the whip fails, he attempts to find a better-suited task to
Northup.
However, if the goal is not met, then the slave is whipped2. But Northup has personal
experience, and his picture extends what Genovese has to say about the motivation of
the whip tenfold. Both show poor whites as using the patrols as an advantage to assert their
power over slaves.
Essay's Topics
All research is for reference purposes only.