Brief Intro
“12 Years a Slave,” directed by Steve McQueen and based on Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir, is a harrowing depiction of one man’s fight for freedom and dignity in pre-Civil War America. The film follows Northup, a free black man from New York, who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, enduring unimaginable hardship over twelve years.
Literary Devices Used in 12 Years a Slave
1. Metaphor
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon’s journey from freedom to slavery | Represents the fall from grace and loss of identity. |
| The juxtaposition of the lush landscapes | Contrasts with the brutality of slavery, highlighting the corruption beneath beauty. |
2. Symbolism
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| The violin | Represents Solomon’s connection to his past and hope for freedom. |
| The cotton fields | Symbolize the economic foundation of slavery and the labor that sustains it. |
3. Irony
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon being sold as “Platt” | Bitter irony of a free man becoming a slave. |
| Ford’s kindness vs. his ownership of slaves | Highlights the moral contradictions of “benevolent” slave owners. |
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon’s abduction sequence | Hints at the imminent betrayal and his fate. |
| Patsy’s request for Solomon to end her life | Foretells the deepening of her despair and hopelessness. |
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon’s life in New York vs. on the plantation | Highlights the stark contrast between freedom and enslavement. |
| Scenes of slaves dancing vs. their suffering | Emphasizes the complexity of their lives, finding moments of joy amidst suffering. |
6. Flashback
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon’s memories of his family | Provide insight into his past and motivations. |
| Brief glimpses of his previous life | Serve to deepen the sense of loss and yearning. |
7. Allegory
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Solomon’s entire journey | An allegory for the African-American struggle for freedom and equality. |
| The plantation system | Represents the dehumanizing machinery of slavery. |
8. Pathos
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| Patsy’s whipping | Evokes deep emotional response from the audience. |
| Solomon’s plea for help | Elicits empathy and sorrow for his plight. |
9. Motif
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| The recurring presence of chains and shackles | Represents the constant bondage and lack of freedom. |
| Songs sung by the slaves | Serve as a motif for their cultural heritage and resilience. |
10. Tone
| Movie Scene | Device Example |
|---|---|
| The somber and reflective tone throughout | Sets the mood for a serious and contemplative narrative. |
| The hopeful tone at the film’s end | Contrasts with the despair, highlighting resilience and endurance. |
Character Analysis Through Literary Devices
Solomon Northup
| Literary Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | The violin symbolizes Solomon’s hope and connection to his past. |
| Pathos | His struggles and pleas evoke deep empathy and highlight his human dignity. |
Patsey
| Literary Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Irony | Her request for death juxtaposes the desire for life, highlighting her unbearable suffering. |
| Pathos | Her whipping scene is a powerful moment of emotional intensity that underscores her agony. |
Edwin Epps
| Literary Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Foreshadowing | His erratic behavior and cruelty hint at the escalating violence and instability on the plantation. |
| Juxtaposition | His moments of vulnerability contrast sharply with his brutality, revealing a complex character. |
William Ford
| Literary Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Irony | His kindness towards Solomon juxtaposed with his role as a slave owner underscores the moral contradictions. |
| Allegory | Represents the conflicted nature of individuals who see themselves as ‘good’ despite participating in an immoral system. |
Thematic Analysis
Injustice
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | Chains and shackles symbolize the systemic oppression and dehumanization. |
| Irony | The irony of a free man being enslaved highlights the absurdity and cruelty of the injustice. |
Hope and Resilience
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Motif | Songs and spirituals sung by the slaves signify their enduring hope and resilience. |
| Flashback | Solomon’s memories of his family provide a source of hope and motivation to endure. |
Dehumanization
| Device | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Metaphor | The transformation of Solomon from a free man to “Platt” symbolizes the stripping away of identity and humanity. |
| Pathos | The emotional portrayal of the slaves’ suffering evokes the deep dehumanization they experience. |
Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices
| Literary Device | Technique | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Pathos | Close-up shots | Intensify emotional moments, allowing the audience to connect deeply with the characters’ feelings. |
| Symbolism | Color palette | The use of light and dark colors to symbolize freedom and enslavement, hope and despair. |
| Juxtaposition | Editing | Quick cuts between scenes of normal life and brutal slavery emphasize the stark contrasts. |
| Flashback | Soft focus | Differentiates past memories from the harsh reality of the present, enhancing the sense of nostalgia and loss. |
Key Scene Analysis
Scene: Solomon’s Abduction
Breakdown: This scene utilizes a combination of foreshadowing and dramatic irony. Solomon’s initial trust in the men who deceive him sets up the bitter irony of his impending enslavement. The cinematography, with its focus on Solomon’s face as he realizes his fate, enhances the emotional impact.
Scene: Patsy’s Whipping
Breakdown: This harrowing scene uses pathos to evoke a strong emotional response from the audience. The unflinching camera work and sound design—highlighting the crack of the whip and Patsy’s screams—underscore the brutality and inhumanity of slavery.
Scene: Solomon’s Reunion with His Family
Breakdown: The film’s hopeful tone is most evident here. The use of soft lighting and a slow, steady camera movement contrasts with the film’s earlier harsh visuals, symbolizing a return to peace and humanity.
Conclusion
To engage readers and test their understanding of the literary devices used in “12 Years a Slave,” here’s an interactive multiple-choice quiz:
Interactive Quiz
1. Which literary device is most evident in the scene where Solomon plays the violin?
2. What does the recurring motif of songs sung by the slaves represent?
- A) Injustice
- B) Hope and Resilience
- C) Dehumanization
- D) Fear
3. In what way does the film use foreshadowing?
- A) By hinting at Solomon’s eventual freedom.
- B) Through Patsy’s request for Solomon to end her life.
- C) By showing Solomon’s memories of his family.
- D) By depicting the lush landscapes of the South.
4. How does the film’s use of close-up shots enhance the literary device of pathos?
- A) By showing the beauty of the surroundings.
- B) By intensifying emotional moments.
- C) By contrasting different scenes.
- D) By differentiating past and present.
5. What theme is highlighted through the use of dramatic irony in the film?
- A) Justice
- B) Freedom
- C) Injustice
- D) Betrayal