If high school students begin studying the book, and steve mcqueens film, 12 years a slave, solomon northups story will be etched into the canon of us history. Emerging from 12 years a slave, one fears the triteness of. In 12 years a slave, solomon northup chiwetel ejiofor. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841 and rescued in 1853, from a. The discussion questions and enrichment activities in this teachers guide for the memoir meet multiple common core state. Text to text twelve years a slave, and an escape that has long. Twelve years a slave is a book that absolutely inhabits the intersection of american history and american literature, and should be read and understood in that context. Some of the worksheets displayed are lesson plans and resources for twelve years a slave, 12 years a slave mat no 1, lesson 4 grades 5 12 the transatlantic enslavement trade, p 4a b quotation marks with direct quotations long quotations, lesson plan 1 audio slave narratives and sojourner truth, lesson plan life as a. He has to endure the hardships of this life for twelve years before he is. Twelve years a slave is an 1853 memoir and slave narrative by american solomon northup as told to and edited by david wilson. This study guide consists of approximately 29 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of twelve years a slave. When 12 years a slave, the film adaptation of the 1853. It proved that the fictional depiction of southern slavery in uncle toms cabin was accurate.
Text to text twelve years a slave, and an escape that. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river in louisiana. In this text to text, we pair an excerpt from twelve years a slave by. History books are a common source in history lessons all over the world, even. Attention to details in the story can open opportunities for classroom discussion. Not only is it a history lesson that has come to life, there are countless emotions to be experienced in each powerful moment of silence rich qualities only found in films that present themselves with an abundance of purity and courageous faith through a powerful lens thats only interested in presenting truth. Find out where 12 years a slave is streaming, if 12 years a slave is on netflix, and get news and updates, on decider. Twelve years a slave 1853, i have a dream 1963 and 12 years a slave 2014. Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their twitter handles. That so few mainstream films have been made about slavery in america is also a testament to the power of denial. The setting is 1841, but viewers cannot miss the connections to middleclass life in our times. By getting it wrong by noah berlatsky, the atlantic, oct. In this lesson, students are asked to identify and analyze narrative passages. As henry louis gates jr, an expert on slave narratives and consultant on the film 12 years a slave, has noted, literacy was the very commodity that.
Twelve years a slave interactive lesson plan helbling. I would also like to draw the readers attention to some fine short stories treating with. Find examples of slave holding societies throughout history. He lived, worked, and married in upstate new york, where his family resided.
Might 12 years a slave be the next diary of anne frank. Twelve years a slave, written with assistance from david wilson. Showing top 8 worksheets in the category 12 years a slave. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The learning network text to text twelve years a slave, and an escape that has long intrigued historians. Not hopefully for our enjoyment but giving us the understanding and knowledge not to repeat and if done and we are made aware do something about.
Print word pdf take our free twelve years a slave quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help. Some schools are already integrating the book into lesson plans. But most of his 12 years was spent under the watch of the cruel planter edwin epps. If you see the 12 years a slave movie, or listen to the audio book, complete the experience by making a commitment to do something. This quiz will ask you several questions about the book s events and the life of the author, solomon northup. He was in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before he was able to secretly get information to friends and family in new york, who in turn secured his release with the aid of the state. Lesson plans and resources for twelve years a slave. Before the kidnapping northup was not in the middle class nor. Brad pitt and chiwetel ejiofor star in a movie 12 years a slave directed by steve mcqueen based on solomon northups slave narrative. His book became a bestseller in 1853, and helped build the case for abolition. Website for movie adaptation of 12 years a slave view the movie website share. The documents behind twelve years a slave education updates.
Solomon northup after his 12 years a slave history. This lesson is designed to provide students with a oneclass introduction to the book. A discussion of steve mcqueens film 12 years a slave an interview by nelson george for the new york times. How little america has changed the story still resonates when black americans are routinely punished for seeking or attaining success. Show students two images related to northrups story. Hollywood is giving a history lesson on an unsung abolitionist hero. What do slave narratives reveal about how history is recorded in the united states. The most extensive site for information and resources on the book, audiobook, and movie. He is taken to edwin epps plantation nearby on bayou huff power. In this unique literary tradition, formerly enslaved men and women report what they experienced and. Now begins the last, worst, and longest phase of solomon northups odyssey as a slave. The cultural significance of solomon northups twelve years a slave.
Twelve years a slave was a originally a memoir written by northup himself that chronicled his life during slavery. The book, twelve years a slave, is a traditional american slave narrative told. I have also put the lesson into a single document that students can use. For 12 years, he was kept in bondage as a slave in louisianatwelve years a slave is his moving and raw account of survival and life as a slave. Lesson plans and resources for twelve years a slave overview. As indicated in both the book and movie, solomon northup lived as a. Im not usually a fan of period pieces particularly those centering on racism and slavery but i was really curious to see what all the buzz was about the movie twelve years a slave so i gave it a chance and watched it this morning, one of the rare times i had time to. Why was slavery such a successful, enduring part of american history. Northups book presents a more complex picture of slave life than does the movie, which concentrates sharply on themes of oppression and victimization. Its renewed popularity as a book and a film underscores how. Free the slaves receives 20 percent of the proceeds from audio book downloads. Lesson plans and other resources from teachers pay teachers. The cultural significance of solomon northups twelve.
Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of newyork, kidnapped in. How did these societies treat their slaves and how integral were they to the economy. This is the reality for solomon northups family when he is tricked into travelling to washington, d. The new york times learning blog has a good outline of the lesson involved in it. That a film as searing and necessary as 12 years a slave is having trouble drawing large audiences is a testament to the power of denial. This is a book nobody was really aware of, except scholars in the field. By getting it wrong steve mcqueens film fudges several details of solomon northups autobiographyboth intentionally and notto more completely.
Ask and answer questions about the novel or view study guides, literature essays and more. Docsteach is a product of the national archives education division. Twelve years a slave study guide contains a biography of solomon northup, literature essays, a complete etext, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. It almost goes without saying that you have to allow room for some creative leeway and exaggerationchanges for dramatic effect something i addressed last year with an examination of the truth vs.
Students will examine several documents related to the life of solomon northup, whose life story is told in his autobiography twelve years a slave. In recent weeks executives at the history channel have announced. Readers couldnt help but notice that the reallife horrors exposed in northups expansive book, written with the assistance of lawyer. I have never seen a film represent slavery so accurately. The images are included at the end of this resource guide, or you can use the links below. For whatever reason, 12 years a slave, unlike frederick douglasss classic slave narrative, seemed to fade into history. As a recipient of one book resources, the free library requires that you devote one class period to introducing twelve years a slave to students, either using this lesson or your own plan. The aim of using the book is to raise the students interest in the. Narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york. The historical accuracy of the book has been exhaustively vetted by. He provided details of slave markets in washington, dc, as well as describing at. He had a wife, a son, and a daughter he left behind and later on reconciled with after a canadian who opposed slavery played by no less than brad pitt he worked with, helped him by contacting his family and friends. Imagine someone in your family disappeared for 12 years without a trace.
I also wanted him to have a deep understanding of slavery, and this movie delivered. To understand a historical development, however, a literary analysis of the works isnt sufficient to uncover all tendencies and reasons for before mentioned. The book twelve years a slave is wonderfully written and sadly hundreds of stories that are true and need to be written. While i never had an opportunity to test out 12 years a slave video lesson plans and worksheets i would have liked to have shown the film either at the end of the year or as part a discussion on slavery. Still, 12 years a slave offers many teachable moments for historians. Introduce students to the slave narrative genre, then begin an indepth study with twelve years a slave. Our mission is to engage, educate, and inspire all learners to discover and explore the records of the american people preserved by the national archives.
Inside youll find 30 daily lessons, 20 fun activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, 20 essay questions, quizzeshomework assignments, tests, and more. It is one of the most important of the slave narratives because it was published shortly after harriet beecher stowes immensely popular and influential novel uncle toms cabin. The surprisingly central role of slave women in 12 years a slave by brenda stevenson of ucla for the george. It does not only help you learn about the historical background of the. Northup, a black man who was born free in new york state, details his being tricked to go to washington, d.
He was disturbed by what he saw, and perhaps he was too young for this movie, but again, i thought it was an important history lesson. The twelve years a slave lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. The online tool for teaching with documents, from the national archives national. Solomon northups 12 years a slave recounts the authors life story as a free black man from the north who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the precivil war south the son of an emancipated slave, northup was born free. The resonance of 12 years a slave is that northop went on to write his own story when he returned to freedom. If you are looking for a way to expose your students to more nonfiction reading and critical analysis, then this activity will work very well, and is a great supplement to the study of the memoir twelve years a slave, or the movie version of the book, or st. 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. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before the american civil war. Twelve years a slave is an influential memoir about american slavery. Through reading the book and completing any of the suggested activities. This edition includes the full book as well as a comprehens. More than a history lesson by terry fitzpatrick of free the slaves.