12

Years a Slave
Scene by Scene Breakdown
By Georgevine Moss
GoIntoTheStory.com
1-5: April 1841. Black SOLOMON NORTHUP is a talented violinist, appreciated by
his white rich patrons. Solomon is also a happy family man in a town where free
blacks mingle with the whites and the well-treated black slaves from the south.
Solomon can provide for his family, even affording some luxuries, but by no
means is he well-off. He is a respected man and very much a part of the
community and along with his other fellow citizens he signs a condolences book
for the widow of the recently deceased President Harrison.
5. This free, happy family man entering a store to purchase items with his wife
ANNE and children MARGARET and ALONZOthis time a new carry all for
Annes annual journeyis an absolutely mesmerizing sight to JASPER, a slave in
town with his master. Inside the store Jasper is treated by the store owner, MR.
CEPHAS PARKER, just like any other respected client, a behavior Jasper doesnt
know how to respond to, since his current primary state is that of fear.
Just as Parker is offering Jasper to buy a new cravat, Jaspers Master FITZERALD
enters the store and apologizes for Jaspers intrusion to Parker, dismissing
Solomons presence with a cold stare.
6. At the Northup house, Anne prepares dinner, while Solomon reads to his
children about President Harrisons funeral arrangements. The happy family
enjoys a nice warm meal with the children left waiting, eager, to have their first
violin lesson after the meal is over.
7. Its bedtime at the Northup home and both parents enjoy the gift of tucking in
their kids to bed. Savoring every moment in bedthis perfect for each other
coupletalk about not wanting to part ways as Anne has to go away as a cook
for a few weeks, but its good money.
9. Anne and the children board a carriage as Solomon waves them a hefty
goodbye.
10-11. Solomon is introduced to two gentlemen by Mr. Moor himself, MERRIL
BROWN and ABRAM HAMILTON, both finely dressed. Solomon is presented as an
expert violinist to the two men, who are in search of distinguished individuals.
They usually work for the circus in Washington. They offer good money to
Solomon to join them in New York for a few performances. Travel expenses paid

too. Solomon, wanting to visit the metropolis and the money being enticement
enough, accepts.
12. Solomon packs for the trip. Violin included.
13. Solomon is trying to write a letter to his wife of his journey plans. A task that
is very difficult for Solomon, to communicate by letter. [A letter at the beginning
of the story could have saved Solomon from what came nextbut because such
communication was difficult for him the letter was never written his life in the
end depends on a letter.]
14. Solomon boards the carriage with his two companions. No letter to post.
15. At a roadside pub, Solomon plays the violin to not a select audience, while
his companions perform a magic routine.
16. After the show, Solomonempty of alcohol and calmsits with Hamilton
and Brown as they countdisappointedthe nights profits. Brown suggests
that the trio now is known enough to be able to make more money, as promised
to Solomon, in Washington. Would he join them?
A man of Solomons skills would do well with the circus. Hed build a reputation
that would bring a fortune for a lifetime. Solomon agrees for a one trial
engagement. Brown and Hamilton suggest that Solomon should get his free
papers as they would be entering slave states, six shillings worth. Theyll see to it
in the morning.
18. Washington. The people are in mourning for the loss of President Harrison.
Hamilton, Brown and Solomon ride in their carriage.
19. At the hotels dining room, Brown gives 43 dollars to Solomon as wages and
an advance from the circus. The director was impressed to hear of Solomons
abilities; alas he could not join them tonight.
Hamilton and Brown drink in honor of the late President. Solomon reluctantly
joins them. Twice.
22. In an alley outside the pub, Solomon is ill. Hunched over. Retching. Brown
and Hamilton are watching.
23. Brown and Hamilton help Solomon to his room at the hotel. Hamilton seems
disappointed. They exit, leaving Solomon in the dark, moaning.
24. Solomon wakes up in a room with iron bars in the window and a well-locked
door. BURCHS DUNGEON. His hands are cuffed and his legs in irons. No matter
how hard he tries, he cannot get free.

25. The next day Solomon awakes. This time the door opens and in enters JAMES
BURCH, the man who runs the slave pen and EBENEZER RADBURN, the overseer.
Solomon states he is a free man. Burch asks for his papers.
Solomon searches his pockets, but someone has stolen his papers. Burch eggs
Solomon to acknowledge he is not a free man from Saratoga, but a Georgia
runaway. When Solomon stands quiet, Burch whispers to Radburn to bring a
paddle and a whip. As Solomon remains quiet, both men grab him and pull him
over a bench. Burch beats Solomon hard until he wears himself out.
When asked again, Solomon insists hes a free man. Burch gets back to work,
beating Solomon and telling him hes a Georgia slave. The paddle breaks in half
and Burch grabs the whip instead. The strikes continue until Burch cannot go on.
He exits, while Radburn stays, telling Solomon that theres no need for this
violence, if only Solomon was of a cooperative nature. Radburn exits.
Solomon tries to get free of his chains to no avail. He calls out for help.
26. A shot of Burchs dungeon. Exterior. Washington.
27. Another day at the dungeon. The door leading to the yard opens.
30 (page 21). In the yard theres educated 25 year old CLEMENS RAY. 20 year old
JOHN WILLIAMSa born slaveand RANDALL, a 10 year old. They and
Solomon stand naked. Radburn throws cold water on them and orders them to
wash up. Solomon tries to help Randall, but the child starts crying, asking for his
mom. Solomon lies to the boy to silence him and avoid a beating.
32. Back at Burchs dungeon, Radburn gives Solomon some food and a shirt.
Solomon protests when Radburn takes his old tattered shirt. It was from his wife.
Radburn exits with the shirt.
At the yard are Clemens Ray, John Williams and Solomonnow close enough to
trust a few words to each other. Randall wanders around calling for his
mamma. Just background noise.
Solomon argues that a sympathetic ear will be enough for everyone to realize
they are free men only to be countered by Clemens Ray. Solomon insists. This
was a trap. Someone tampered with his drink. His artist friends could explain all
this. Surely they are looking for him. Clemens Ray argues they were probably
behind the whole thing.
Clemens lays down their fate. Theyll be send southward and sold to the market.
John is filled with panic. That will not be his fate. Hes being held as debt. His
master will come for him.

Randall calls for his mother again. This time they all turn to him. Theres Burch
with two women at the yard door. One of them, ELIZA, is the boys mothera
slave, but well-taken cared of one since she was a mistress. The other is EMILY,
Randalls half-sister. Eliza and Randall are reunited.
33. At Burchs dungeon, Solomon now shares the space with Eliza and the
children. Eliza tells Solomon of her fine life, in her own house and with more
favor than her masters wife for 9 years with the child she bore for him. Until
master Berrys health failed and his daughter sent her here at the pretense of
gaining her free papers.
34. Night at the dungeon. Burch and Radburn enter and demand everyone to get
to the yard. Just going for a boat ride, nothing to be scared for.
35. At the yard, Solomon, Clemens Ray, John Williams, Eliza and her children are
cuffed together. John pulls back, scared. John's master is going to pay his debt, he
says. Burch beats him silent. Emily and Randall used to seeing this sort of thing
are apathetic.
36. The slaves, hidden in a horse and carriage, are transported in haste. They are
transferred on a steamboat. Captain, crew and a mulatto woman watchout of
their way.
37. Down in the boats hold, chained, John and Eliza are crying in the dark while
Solomon seethes silent with rage. Burch and Radburn dont even notice.
38. A steamboat engine room shot and an exterior shot of the steamboat moving
between Washington and Norfolk.
43. Later. At the hold, the slaves eat and pray. Clemens Ray advises Solomon to
not tell anyone he can read and write or hell die.
At the Norfolk port. 15 new slaves, the chief of them ROBERT, are shoved into the
hold. Burch and Radburn depart and the steamboat ORLEANS, leaves port again.
44. Solomon is cleaning at the Orleanss galley, noticing Roberts knife skills as he
prepares the food.
45. Robert is shackled at the hold with a muzzle over his face. A sailor comes
down and removes it. Robert urges Solomon and Clemens Ray to fight against the
crew and free themselves. Clemens Ray counter argues that to survive they have
to keep their head down. Solomon agrees with Robert. He doesnt want to
survive, he wants to live, he says. [Here he acts still as a free man, later as the
years go by as a slave, we notice the change in Solomon for the need to comply to
survive, sounding more like slave-born John.]
47. Exterior shot. The steamboat at sea.

48 (page 32). At the hold. Night. Slaves asleep. A sailor approaches Elizas
daughter. Eliza stops him and leads him off into a corner. Solomon witnesses the
scene. Clemens Ray too. Robert is the only one who reacts. He blocks the sailors
way. A moment. The sailor smiles, then Robert looks down to see a knife is stuck
between Roberts ribs. He collapses.
51. Day. On deck, Solomon and Clemens Ray dump Roberts body at sea.
52. MID MAY 1841. At the busy port of New Orleans. The slaves are put in a
holding pen off board. JONUS RAYClemens Rays masterand DAVIS, Mr.
Rays solicitor, are here for Clemens. He in turn is delighted for his approaching
freedom.
Master Ray provides papers to the captain, which verify that Clemens as his
property, one that should be returned immediately. The captain frees Clemens.
Solomon looks upon the master-slave reunion with hope, but it, along with
Clemens and Mr. Ray, fades away as they walk off out of sight.
53. Hours later, the slaves wait at port. THEOPHILUS FREEMAN calls names off a
list. John, Eliza, Platt. No slave stands at the sound of Platt. Freeman checks out
Solomon. He fits the description. They are all shackled away.
54. Burchs stock: Eliza, her children, John and Solomon are carted off. At the
busy port, Solomon experiences true slavery for the first time. Scared, shackled
and attacked slaves is the norm under this system of oppression.
55. Burchs slaves arrive at Freemans slave pen.
56. Later. The slaves wash up.
57. CAPE, Freemans house slave, gives new clothes to the slaves.
58. At Freemans great room. Freeman tries to line up the slaves. The slaves must
make a good impression to sell.
Solomon asks Cape if he can play a reel on the fiddle. Cape is not a good player.
Freeman wants to see what Solomon can do. Solomon plays masterfully. The
slaves clap and dance along the music. Freeman enjoys it too, but not Cape.
59. Customers have come for Freemans slave. They inspect their bodies, teeth
and ask of their skills. WILLIAM FORD, a buyer, asks the price of Platt and Eliza.
Hell buy them. Eliza is upset . She begs Ford to buy her children too.
Another buyer then interrupts and asks Randalls price. Done. Fordtouched by
Elizas panictries to buy Emily for her. Freeman isnt selling her. Shes a beauty,
not of cotton-picking quality. Lots of money to be made off her. Ford fails to buy
her.

Eliza makes a scene, upsetting the buyers. Freeman orders Solomon to play
something on the fiddle, loudly. Nothing. Cape stuffs a rug in Elizas mouth and
hauls her away.
60. Solomon and depressed Eliza are driven to the Ford plantation.
At their arrival, Mr. CHAPINa white overseerasks SAM, a slave, to call for
Mrs. FORD. She with RACHEL, her cook and also Sams wife, exit the great house.
They want to see the new slaves.
Ford instructs Chapin to fix a meal for the new slaves and let them rest. Work
begins tomorrow.
61. (page 42) JOHN TIBEATSchief carpenterand Chapin stand before the
slaves at Fords work area, giving instructions to the slaves. The scene ends with
shots of Solomon and the slaves doing manual labor while Tibeats sings the song
Run Nigger, Run.
Early June 1841. Solomon is chopping trees for timber with other slaves.
62. More hard work under the hot sun, loading timber on a wagon.
63. The slaves walk down a long road alongside a wagon.
64. Fords work area. Along a river, the slaves pile and chop timber. JOHN
TIBEATS, carpenter, and customers placing orders are present.
65. At the Ford plantation. Mid June 1841. The slaves are dressed brightly with
their finest clothes. It is Sunday.
Ford reads from the scripture and the slaves and Mistress Ford listen. Eliza,
sitting a bit aside from the others, weeps gently. Mistress Ford is unsettled by it.
70. At Fords work area during lunch. Solomon reads the Bible to the other
slaves. WINSLOW, a white customer, annoyed at the sight, grabs the Bible off
Solomons hands. Winslow cant believe this behavior is proper. Ford comes over
and explains that as a Christian he encourages this. Winslow moves off, yelling
his opinions: a slave that reads is dangerous and so Ford is unfit to own one.
72. The slaves are trudging along the wagon carrying timber to Fords work area
when they stumble upon a group of Chickasaw Indians who are carrying the
carcass of a deer.
73. A the end of the day the Indians and the slaves are sitting all together,
roasting the deer, the Indians dancing under the tune of an Indian fiddle.
Solomon listens, enthralled by the music.

74. Solomon distances himself from the group to defecate amidst some tall grass
by the river bank, but stops as a thought possesses him, staring at the water.
75. Solomon is at the work area with Ford and Tibeats, explaining to them how
they could transport the timber via the river at a lower cost. Impressed of
Solomons knowledge and past experience, Ford gives him permission to try out
his plan of clearing the river.
76. End of June 1841. Slaves work, chopping trees along the river banks and
building a raft under Solomons instructions.
77. Slaves, Ford and Tibeats stand at the river bank beyond the work area. When
they see Solomons raft they all cheer save for Tibeats. He is pissed. Hed argued
it couldnt be done.
78. Ford gifts a fiddle to Solomon as a thank you for his hard work.
79. End of July 1841. At the slave shack, the slaves eat in silence except for
permanently depressed Eliza who weeps. Solomon snaps. He asks her to stop,
shaking her. As he accuses her of allowing falling in despair, she in turn
accuses him of having settled for being Platt. His argument against her
accusations: he is surviving until an opportunity of freedom comes up. Her final
words: She too did dishonorable things to survive and still is in no better
circumstances than if she had stood up for herself.
80. August 1841. Sunday. The slaves are gathered at the plantations rose garden,
listening as Ford reads from the Bible. Eliza sobs uncontrollably. Mrs. Ford does
not like it.
81. January 1842. Winter at Fords work area. Tibeats gives Solomon an
inspection with Ford present. Ford has accumulated debts. Solomon will now be
owned by Mr. Tibeats.
82. End of January 1842. At the Ford plantation Solomon is working as a
carpenter, building a Weaving House to the side of the Great House. Tibeats is
not satisfied with Solomons fine work. There is an argument. Tibeats wins as
Solomon doesnt argue further but concedes to do as ordered, sir.
Solomon watches Elizahis last connection as a free manbeing driven away as
Mistress Ford and Rachel watch.
83. Morning. Solomon is back at work.
84. A less than sober and belligerent Tibeats approaches Solomon at midmorning and negatively criticizes his work.

Hes looking for some fault in Solomons work. Finds it. When Solomon talks back
to him, defending his work, Tibeats gets angry. He fetches a whip and asks
Solomon to strip his clothes. Solomon does not obey Tibeats order. He is alone,
save for Rachel and Mistress Ford. She runs to fetch Chapin.
When Tibeats grabs Solomon by the throat, Solomon fights back, in the end
grabbing the whip himself and striking Tibeats. Tibeats threatens him, but
Solomon keeps on hitting him. Chapin rides at the sight and asks what the
problem is. Solomon explains that Tibeats wanted to whip him for using the nails
Chapin had given him.
Chapin defends Solomon. Tibeats moves off, threatening that he will have flesh.
This isnt done. Chapin warns Solomon not to run. If he does, theres no
protecting him. Chapin disappears in the log kitchen with Rachel. Solomon is left
alone.
Chapin returns, but does not approach Solomon. Solomon waits until Tibeats
rides in the scene with RAMSAY and COOK, carrying whips and rope. The men tie
up Solomon and suspend him from a tree. Chapin, who was gone for a few
moments, reappears with guns in both hands. Ford holds a mortgage on Solomon
and as overseer he cannot let them hang him.
A simple threat from Chapin is enough for Ramsay and Cook to ride away.
Tibeats departs as well. Chapin, unsure of what to do with Solomon, leaves him
dangling from the tree and instructs Sam to ride to Ford and inform him they are
trying to murder Solomon.
85. The slaves go on about their business, while Solomon is dangling from the
tree. Chapin, a pistol in each hand in case Tibeats returns, does nothing to help
Solomon.
87. Drenched in sweat and delirious from lack of water, Solomon hangs from the
tree. Rachel approaches timidly and gives him some water.
88. Evening. Ford finally arrives. He cuts Solomon loose. Solomon passes out.
89. Solomon regains his consciousness, lying in a blanket in the well-decorated
Ford house foyer. Ford is frank with Solomon. Tibeats is around somewhere. It is
not safe here anymore. He has transferred his debt to EDWIN EPPS. Solomon
tells Ford that before he came to the plantation he was a free man. Ford will not
hear him out.
90. (page 60) End of January 1842. A repulsive, uneducated man, Edwin Epps
reads the Bible to his eight slaves. Amongst them is PATSEY, a 23-year old who
brims with unconversant sexuality. Mistress EPPS is also present, being very

motherly to the slave children, and TREACH, Epps overseer, who has a loaded
pistol at all times.
Reading from the Bible, Epps explains to the slaves that the Lord equals the
Master and theyll be whipped if they dont obey him.
91. August 1842 at Epps plantation. It is cotton picking season and Patsey
masterfully picks up cotton ahead. Way back, Solomon clumsily tries to the job
hes not trained for. He gets a lash.
The slaves work with no stop for water and are whipped without reason.
92. Works over. Treach is weighting the baskets of cotton each slave has
gathered. Solomon has the lowest numbers. Epps isnt happy. He pulls Solomon
aside. Counting continues. Patsey has the highest numbers by far. Epps praises
her work. The counting continues. More slaves are set aside.
93. The pulled aside slaves are given a whipping by another slave.
94. More work for the slaves. Evening chores.
95. At the slave shack at night the slaves fix their own dinner.
96. A drunken Epps storms the slave shack, waking up everyone.
97. The slaves, fully dressed, are placed in the middle of the floor at the main
house. Solomon plays a tune and the slaves dance, wearily. Epps does these
dances just so he can watch Patsey dance. Mistress Epps is aware of this. Finally,
jealousy abounding, she grabs a carafe and throws it at Patsey in the face. She
insists Epps sells Patsey. Epps refuses.
When threatened, Epps is clear. If shes not pleased with what he gives her, she
can go. But he will not get rid of Patsey.
Mistress Epps storms off and Epps orders the slaves to dance.
98-99. August 1843. The slaves begin work at yet another day on the plantation.
100. Mistress Eppspiece of paper in handcalls upon Solomon.
Mistress Epps gives Solomon a list of goods for him to go purchase, ordering him
to return immediately. When Solomoncarelesslyreads the list, Mistress Epps
asks him if he can read. Solomon denies it. Her advice: Do your work, anything
more and you will be punished.
101A. On the road to the shop Solomon witnesses patrollers preparing for a
lynching of two young men. He shows the patrollers his free pass and they let
him go with a hard kick.

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101. At the store, BARTHOLOMEW fills the order, placing a quantity of foolscap
in the bag. Solomon looks around at all the slave restrains available for purchase.
102. Solomon delivers the items to Mistress Epps.
104. July 1844. Patsey is having tea with Mistress HARRIET SHAW, a black
former slave. Their table is attended by a house slave. White man, Master SHAW
is grooming a horse on the lawn.
A105. Solomon running along the road.
B105. Solomon reaches the Shaw House. He is there to retrieve Patsey, as
ordered by Master Epps. Mistress Saw asks Solomon to sit for tea.
Mistress Shaw wants to gossip about Epps concern regarding PATSEY.
Solomonas diplomatically as he cantells her Epps has the impression Master
Shaw is something of a lothario
When Solomon apologizes if hed offended her, Mistress Shaw explains she
doesnt mind if Master Shaw sleeps around if it means shes no longer cottonpicking in a field or being whipped.
105. Back at the Epps plantation, a drunken Epps calls for Patsey as she and
Solomon return. Solomon tells Patsey to not look at Epps and keep going. Epps,
annoyed being ignored, picks a fight with Solomon, chasing him around but
failing to catch him. Eventually, Epps drops down.
Epps apologizes and asks Solomon to help him up. Once Solomon does, Epps
chases him again, failing, dropping down. The same scene unfolds one more time,
this time with a knife, when Mistress Epps interrupts.
Solomon explains how the misunderstanding began. At the mention of Patsey,
Mistress Epps scolds her husband, calling him a filthy, godless heathen. Epps
defends his position and walks past Mistress Epps to the house.
106. August 1844. Slaves picking cotton at the Epps plantation under extreme
heat.
107. Slave shack. October 1844. Epps awakes the slaves, whip in hand. No
dancing this time. Hes here for Patsey.
108(page 75). At the back of the smoke house, Epps rapes Patsey, who stands
still, not responding. Epps, annoyed by her passiveness, turns violent, slapping,
punching and whipping her.
109. November 1844. Solomon fills another order at Bartholomews. Again
among the items is a quantity of foolscap.

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110. Along the road, careful that no one is around, Solomon removes a single
sheet of paper from the sack and hides it in his pocket.
112. Solomon hides the paper in his fiddle.
113. Epps main house. December 1844. Solomon plays the fiddle at another
dance. Mistress Epps interrupts, bringing a tray of pastries for all to try. The
slaves file toward the tray. When it is Patseys turn, Mistress Epps denies her one.
Patsey turns away, but Mistress Epps starts a scene, accusing Patsey of insolence.
Epps tries to defuse the situation, unsuccessfully. Mistress Epps continues
berating Patsey and Epps, calling him manless. When Epps does again nothing,
Mistress Epps drives her nails into Patseys face and orders Epps to beat the
slaves.
Epps takes his whip and pulls bloodied Patsey out of the house under Mistress
Epps satisfied gaze. The rest of the slaves are ordered to eat and dance.
114. The slaves sleep, all except Patsey. She gets up and removes a ladys finger
ring which shed hidden. She asks Solomon to keep it and in return to kill her.
Solomon refuses. She begs him, but Solomon wont do it. Patsey lays down back
to her spot.
115. July 1846. At the Epps planation, the cotton crop is ruined by cotton worm.
Epps thinks God is punishing him and its the slaves fault. He goes around
whipping any slave in sight.
117. (page 80). October 1846. Solomon and four other slaves are delivered to
JUDGE TURNER. They are to work for him until Epps crop returns.
118. The slave shack is packed with barely any room to breathe let alone sleep.
Solomon feels at his lowest. Hope of returning to his family is minimal.
119. The overseer explains to the slaves how to work on the cane field.
120. November 1846. Solomon is a lot better at cutting canes than picking cotton.
Hes fast and skillful. Judge Turner watches.
121. At the slave shack Solomon, trying to rest, finds himself next to ANNA. She,
desperate for some human contact/escape from reality takes Solomons hand
and puts it on her breast. In the end Anna climaxes, but neither Solomon nor
Anna enjoy this.
123. Outside the Great House, Judge Turner first asks Solomon if he is educated,
Solomon denies it, then Judge Turner tasks him with playing the fiddle at
WILLARD YARNEYsa planteranniversary. What he earns is his to keep.
124. After work, as he eats, Solomon notices the juice berries leave on his plate.

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125. Solomon manipulates a cane into a quill.

126. Solomon, alone at the edge of the bay at night, tries to use the berry juice as
ink to write in his stashed away paper. But the juice isnt suitable for writing.
A127. Solomon scratches his wifes and kids names on his fiddle.
127. At Yarneys House, a happy dance where Solomon plays music. Everyone is
having fun.
128. On the road back to Judge Turners plantation, Solomon is attacked by two
black men. He gets wounded. He fights back, the men retreat.
A129. Uncle Abram tends to Solomons wound. He tells Solomon they were
probably runaways trying to go to the North. But two of Uncle Abrams masters
have told him of the sorry condition of the northern black.
130. February/March 1847. Alone at the bayou, Solomon meets CELEST. Shes
far whiter than most blacks and lovely. Celeste asks Solomon for food and
Solomon shares some of his with her. She belongs to MASTER CAREY. Shes sick
and cant work so she ran away, the hounds unable to trace her. She asks for
more food. Solomon does as ordered. Her plan is to live in the swamp where the
overseers wont find her. Shell live free and others will join her. Solomon is to
bring her food at night. She leaves.
131. At the food storage Solomon stills some food.
132. Night. Celeste appears again. She devours the food Solomon gives her and
asks him for his name. First, he says Platt. Then he tells her his free name,
Solomon.
Solomon tells Celeste of his plan to freedom: the letter. One problem with it:
going to trust someone to mail it.
135-137. Solomon makes ink out of boiled white maple bark. He writes his letter
in secret.
138. Another night with Celeste, telling her about the finished letter.
Celeste has decided to return to her master. She feels lonely and is afraid the
animals in the swamp will attack her. Solomon tries to persuade her to go north.
Hell help her. When she leaves, unconvinced, he goes after her. He ends up
getting lost in the river with the water up to his neck. He panics. He believes he is
going to die beforeout of luckmanages to get back to the shore.
139. May/June 1847. At the Epps plantation. Solomon, Uncle Abram, Henry and
Bob return to Epps, who is in good spirits. The cotton crop is fully returned.

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140. July 1847. White man ARMSBY, unskilled at picking cotton, is working on
the field with the slaves.
141. Cotton weighing in the Gin House. Solomon is pulled to the side for poor
performance. Armsbys performance is even worse, but Epps treats him nothing
like the slaves. Armsby gets encouragement. Solomon and Abram get a whipping.
142. As Armsby tends to Solomons wounds, he talks of his sorry state, reduced
to picking cotton even though hes worked as overseer before drinking rendered
him unreliable. The reason for his drinking is that no man can withstand the
whipping of others every day. Once he wanted to make a fortune at the field, now
he only wants a wage and to get home.
143-144. August 1847. Another day at the cotton field. The slaves singing a
spiritual and working until Uncle Abram drops to the ground and doesnt get up.
145. At the slaves cemetery. Solomon, Bob and Henry dig a hole and put the
body inside.
A148. At the slave cemetery a female singer begins a solo. The slaves on occasion
join in, elated.
148. Solomon retrieves the package from its hiding place. Hides the letter and
takes the money with him.
150 At Armsbys shack Solomon asks Armsby to deposit a letter for him which is
as of yet not written, in exchange for moneyhis fiddling proceedsand asks
not to tell anyone about it. Armsby agrees.
151 (page 100). Solomon works at the cotton field with the others except
Armsby. He is talking with Epps.
152. Epps shows up at the slave shack at night and orders Solomon up and out in
the dark.
153. Epps, bitter and drinking from a flask, guides Solomon into the woods.
Armsby has ratted out Solomon. When questioned, Solomon denies everything.
He doesnt have ink or paper, besides Armsby is a drunk and just wants to be an
overseer. Armsby is lying.
Epps was holding a pocket knife against Solomons stomach the whole time.
Finally, he chooses not to use it.
154. At night, Solomon burns his letter.
A155. March 1852. The slaves work on an extension to the Great House under
the direction of MR. SAMUEL BASS, a Canadian.

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B155. When Epps offers a drink to Bass as a respite from the heat, Bass declines.
When pressured he tells Epps that the condition of his laborers is bad and that
this is wrong. He would never own a slave.
155. (page 106). Sabbath. The slaves tend to their own chores. The women are
washing their clothes, except for Patsey. A drunken Epps asks of her. The slaves
dont know where she is.
156. When Patsey returns, Epps is angry. He questions her whereabouts. Epps
accuses Patsey that she slept with Shaw. Patsey shows Epps a bar of soap. This is
why she went to Shaws plantation, because Mistress Epps doesnt even give her
soap to clean with. Epps insists shes lying. He orders Treach to strip her and tie
her to the post. But Epps cannot bear to whip her. Mistress Epps is watching the
scene and encourages him, but he cant do it. He gives the whip to Solomon.
Under Epps threat that hell kill all the slaves in sight, Solomon delivers many
hard blows until he cant go on. Epps then takes over, hitting Patsey with more
power than ever, until she stops struggling, blood flowing from her torn flesh.
When Epps is gone, Solomon unties Patsey and takes her to the cabin.
157. At the cabin, Phebe tends to her wounds. Patsey opens her eyes and just
stares at Solomon, until she closes them again.
160. April 1852. Solomon and Bass work alone on the extension of the Great
House. Solomon approaches Bass. Should he trust him and tell him about who he
is?
161. Hours later. Bass reflects on Solomons story. Solomon asks him to write to
his friends to the north and they will try to free him. Bass agrees and they
continue to work.
A165. Solomon walks down the path back from Bartholomews, when he
encounters a woman being lynched.
165. September 1852. Working at the nearly finished Gazebo, Bass informs
Solomon that he hasnt received a letter yet and that work at the plantation is
nearly done. Bass tells him hell continue to write to Solomons people wherever
he is. But Solomon is defeated.
A168. Alone at a secluded part of a road by Epps plantation, Solomon breaks
apart his violin.
168. February 1853. Solomon and the other slaves work on the field, when two
men arrive: Parker and the SHERIFF. The sheriff calls for Platt. He asks Solomon
whether he knows the man on the carriage. Solomon slowly recognizes Mr.
Parker. The sheriff asks him if he has another name. Solomon tells him his name

15

is Solomon Northup. Epps is listening on as the sheriff enquires Solomon about

his family.
Solomon runs to Parker and the two men embrace. They are interrupted by
Epps.
At the end, when no one is backing up, Epps tells them this is not the end. Hell
have his day in court. Solomon departs.
A169. March 1853. Solomon, visibly aged, stands nervously at the door of his
house.
169. The door opens. Anne, grown up Alonzo, Margaret who is holding a bundle
and her husband are in the room. After twelve years they all feel awkward.
Margaret hugs her father. After he is introduced to Margarets husband, Margaret
presents the bundle, Solomons grandson named Solomon Northup Staunton.
Solomon breaks down but Anne catches him.
They all hold to each other.
Fade to black.