Here the slaves are transferred to the pen of Mr. Goodin. There is a moment in '12 Years a Slave' when, as a form of punishment, Northup is hanged by his neck, the tips of his toes just able to reach the ground below him. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. A black woman of mixed-race ancestry, she worked as a cook. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. ...including one named Theophilus Freeman, board the ship. Solomon runs into, ...evening catching up with the other slaves. Young Master Epps The son of Edwin and Mistress Epps. She was sold, with Solomon Northup, to William Ford in Louisiana. Her story also serves as a negative commentary on the role and status of women in that society. from your Reading List will also remove any He later became a Baptist preacher. Mr. Bass A white carpenter working to build a house on the Epps’ plantation. Eliza spends her first night in Burch’s slave pen mourning her situation and the deception that delivered her children into this place. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Elisha Berry promised emancipation for Eliza and her children upon his death; however, when he passed away, his heirs reneged on that promise. Abram An elderly slave of Edwin Epps of failing strength and mental faculties. Fortunately, though, Mr. Berry treated Eliza with kindness and elevated her status among the slaves. Thus, when Mr. Berry passed away, Mrs. Brooks conspired with her husband to thwart her dead father’s promise of freedom for Eliza. Henry B. Northup A white man, related to the family that owned Solomon’s father as a slave, and from the family from which Solomon took his last name. Described as “a kindly-disposed man.” When John M. Tibeats tried to lynch and hang Solomon Northup, it was Chapin who rescued him (at gunpoint) from Tibeats’ gang. Merrill Brown One of two white con men who, with Abram Hamilton, deceived Solomon Northup and orchestrated his kidnapping. She never recovered from the emotional devastation of losing her children, mourning them the rest of her life and dying without ever seeing Randall or Emily again. All rights reserved. A bright, energetic boy of 10 or 12 years, who imitated with joy the cruelties of his father. He used the whip, the Bible, and wooden stocks as means of keeping his slaves subdued. She was the slave-turned-mistress of a rich man who gave her a plush life and promised her eventual freedom. Theophilus Freeman A New Orleans, Louisiana, white slave trader who worked in association with James H. Burch. However, instead of sympathizing with the black woman’s plight, Berry’s white daughter, Mrs. Brooks, despised Eliza and Emily because of her father’s affection for them. Anne (Hampton) Northup Solomon’s wife and the mother of his three children. Eliza Berry A fellow black captive in James H. Burch’s Washington, D.C. slave pen and lifelong friend to Solomon Northup. Twelve Years a Slave Character List Solomon Northup/"Platt" Anne Hampton Northup Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton James H. Burch Eliza William Ford John M. Tibeats Edwin Epps Patsey Henry B. Northup, Esq. Solomon Northup confided in him, and he responded with loyalty and help. bookmarked pages associated with this title. James H. Burch A brutal slave dealer who first kept Solomon Northup in captivity in Washington, D.C. A business partner with Theophilus Freeman of New Orleans, Burch was white, around 40 years old, and a large, powerful man with chestnut hair, slightly gray. Solomon Northup, aka “Platt” A free black man who lived in the northern United States in the 1800s, Solomon was kidnapped in 1841, at age 33, and sold into slavery in the South, where he lived until he was rescued by friends in 1853. Edward A house slave of Edwin Epps and the son of Wiley and Phebe. When Edwin Epps tried to attack Solomon Northup with a knife, she argued in Solomon’s defense. Solomon was married to Anne (Hampton) Northup and with her had three children: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo. Solomon was forced to brutally whip a naked and helpless Patsey while Edwin Epps and Mistress Epps goaded him on. Cephas Parker and William Perry Co-owners of stores where Solomon Northup and his family shopped, and friends to whom Solomon addressed his letter for help. In Goodin’s slave pen, Northup meets other black captives, including a free man named Robert, who, like Solomon, has been kidnapped and sold into slavery. Armsby A poor white man who worked alongside field slaves at Edwin Epps’ plantation for a short time. Eliza spends her first night in Burch’s slave pen mourning her situation and the deception that delivered her children into this place. That night, many of the slaves come down with smallpox. Twelve Years a Slave: Narrative of Solomon Northup, a Citizen of New York, Kidnapped in Washington City in 1841 and Rescued in 1853 (to be referred to as Twelve Years a Slave) is the focus of this lesson on analyzing messages in slave narratives. Unable to convince her husband to sell Patsey, she instead insisted that her husband punish Patsey with frequent whippings and deprivations. Northup dictated his story to Wilson, who wrote it down and prepared it for publication under the title 12 Years a Slave. He died from smallpox before the plan could be carried out. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our. A lawyer, he journeyed south to rescue Solomon from captivity. William Ford The white man who bought Solomon Northup and Eliza Berry from Theophilus Freeman. Jacob Brooks, in turn, promised Eliza a trip to get her free papers and instead handed her over to the cruel machinations of James H. Burch. Believing that threat applied to all slavers, Northup never spoke to anyone again of his being born free until nearly 12 years later. (including. Highly regarded by Northup as a fair and kind slave owner, he rescued Solomon from John M. Tibeats and others on several occasions. Solomon Northup asked him to mail a secret letter; in return for payment, Armsby promised to deliver the letter from Solomon to the post office. Edwin Epps Solomon Northup’s final, and cruelest, master. Naturally “a joyous creature, a laughing lighthearted girl,” frequent beatings and abuse made her despondent and suicidal as the years went on. Robert A captive with Solomon Northup, he was a co-conspirator in an aborted plan of revolt against his white captors. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance. Arthur A captive with Solomon Northup, he was a co-conspirator in an aborted plan of revolt against his white captors. Mr. Chapin William Ford’s white overseer on the Bayou Boeuf plantation. Yet, like Eliza, Mrs. Brooks was helpless to oppose her father’s will and actions. Under the ruse of taking her to get her free papers, the heirs sold Eliza and her children into Burch’s slave pen. The next midnight, in the cover of darkness, Burch and Radburn move Solomon, Eliza, and the other slaves to a steamboat moored on the Potomac River. Chapter 3 During his two weeks in Williams’ Slave Pen, Solomon meets Eliza, the mother of the young Randall whom Solomon had met previously, as well as a... (full context) However, Armsby betrayed his promise and instead reported the incident to Edwin Epps. Are you sure you want to remove #bookConfirmation# Bob A field slave of Edwin Epps and Phebe’s son by a former husband. He is shocked to see the way that, “Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. When Solomon lets slip that he is from New York, Burch again threatens to kill him. Burch takes Clemens Ray and returns with him to Washington, D.C. Northup comments with satisfaction that he later discovers that Ray escaped slavery and found freedom in Canada.