Introduction
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave provides insight into the legacy of slavery in America and serves as a powerful reminder of the horrific experiences endured by slaves. The film 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American man from New York who is captured and sold into slavery in the Deep South. The film portrays the brutality of American slavery and its lasting effects on African-Americans and other marginalized people. Analyzing 12 Years a Slave through Douglass’s Narrative, it is clear that although there have been improvements in race relations since the abolition of slavery, the legacy of slavery continues to affect African Americans today. While 12 Years a Slave and Douglass’s Narratives are similar in that they both demonstrate the physical brutality endured by slaves at the hands of their masters, Douglass’s account also highlights the psychological impacts of slavery.
By contrast, 12 Years a Slave focuses more on the physical violence inflicted by enslavers and the overarching power dynamics between enslaved people and whites. Bhalerao (2019) argues that Douglass’s narrative reveals “the impact of chattel slavery on both body and soul.” This is particularly evident in the character of Epps, Northup’s master, who regularly punishes and tortures his slaves while attempting to break their spirits. This highlights the psychological dimension of slavery that is often overlooked; it was not just physical violence but emotional manipulation that kept enslaved people in bondage.
The film 12 Years a Slave also demonstrates the racism that persisted in the South after the end of slavery. Pakaya et al. (2021) suggest that one of the themes explored in the film is ” systemic and institutionalized discrimination against blacks.” This theme is evident in how whites treated African Americans before and after Northup’s enslavement. Even when Northup is eventually freed, he is still subjected to discriminatory treatment and prejudice. This highlights the ongoing struggle faced by African Americans in a supposedly “free” society.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave reveals the progress and persisting injustices experienced by enslaved people in America. In the film, the protagonist Solomon Northup is kidnapped and sold into slavery despite being free. This captures how freedom can be snatched away from African Americans even when legally free (Bhalerao, 2019). The movie also details how Solomon struggles to retain his sense of identity and self-worth despite the dehumanizing, oppressive conditions he is subjected to. This accurately reflects the struggle for survival and reclaiming identity that Douglass and many African Americans faced in slavery (Pakaya et al., 2021). The film displays how the socioeconomic structures of society—including power dynamics between enslavers, white people, and other enslaved people—shaped the experiences and opportunities available to African Americans.
Analyzing 12 Years a Slave through Douglass’s Narrative reveals the long-term effects of slavery on African Americans. The physical violence endured by enslaved people was only the tip of the iceberg; psychological manipulation and institutionalized racism remain challenges African Americans face today. 12 Years a Slave is an excellent example of how slavery continues to impact the lives of African Americans across generations. It brings to life some of the themes explored in Frederick Douglass’s autobiographical account, demonstrating the ongoing impacts of racism and oppression in America.
The Historical Difference between the Idea of Freedom and the Idea of Equality in the United States
The idea of freedom and equality in the United States during the period covered by 12 Years a Slave were two separate concepts. Freedom implied the right to live without oppression or slavery, while equality indicated an equal footing regarding rights, opportunities, and respect regardless of race or gender. The film captures these two ideas well through its characters and narrative. In the film, Solomon Northup, portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, is an example of a man who was promised freedom after being enslaved for 12 years. He believed his freedom meant he would have equal rights and opportunities, but this did not happen (Bhalerao, 2019). The film portrays the deep-seated racism of this period powerfully, showing how Solomon’s “freedom” was still overshadowed by inequality.
The film also emphasizes how even those free were still unable to achieve true equality. Eliza, a formerly enslaved person, works as a housekeeper but is still subjected to humiliation and racism by her employers (Bhalerao, 2019). This reflects the attitudes of those in power at that time, showing how even though African Americans had been granted freedom, they were still denied fundamental rights and treated as inferior. The film 12 Years a Slave accurately portrays the differences between freedom and equality in the United States during this period. It highlights how African Americans were granted legal freedom, but denied true equality, showing that even after emancipation, they were still subject to racism, oppression, and humiliation.
Conclusion
From Frederick Douglass’s Narrative of the Life of an American Slave to Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, there is an insight into the lasting effects of slavery and the struggles African Americans have faced to gain freedom and equality. Despite the progress made since the end of slavery, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all people are truly free and equal in the United States. The Historical Difference between the Idea of Freedom and the Idea of Equality in the United States is a topic that has been explored through literature and film throughout history. Such stories serve to demonstrate the resilience of African Americans in the fight for freedom and equality and to show that despite obstacles, progress can be made. This is an ongoing journey that requires the fight for greater equality. Only then will true freedom and justice be realized.
References
Bhalerao, E. (2019). Understanding slave narrative in African American Theatre. Aarhat Multidisciplinary International Education Research Journal (AMIERJ). Web.
Pakaya, M. F., Mariana, A., & Husain, D. (2021). Analysis of racism in “12 years a slave†movie directed by Steve McQueen. Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature Studies, 1(2). Web.