“I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under my own observation—only so far as I have known and experienced it in my own

person” (p. 5).

1. Northup sets out to convince readers that his account of slavery is the truth. What does he mean by this quote? - He probably use
to talk about slavery with his familit because it was a real life thing that was happening, he was a free man and he knows that. He
ended up being put into slavery and he is expierencing it and it’s sad. He is experiencing all the pain that they went through and it’s
brutal. He knows he is a free man but they do not care, because all that they see is a slave.

2. Northup refers to himself and other blacks in what we today would consider demeaning terms. For instance, he indicates that he
is conscious of his “lowly state” (p. 8) and he calls the slaves he encounters, “simple beings” (p. 7). What do you make of these
references to blacks? What do they suggest about Northup and his goal in writing his memoir? What do they tell us about the ideas
of race that were prevalent in 1853?

3. What were some of the “blessings of liberty” enjoyed by Northup before he left Saratoga with his eventual betrayers? -He was
free, with his wife and kids. He could go into shops and purchase items. He got respect from “white folks”. He was free and happy
he just trusted the wrong people.

4. The film shows great brutality and beauty. What, in the film, showed you the power and genius of black people? -The film in the
beginning was that Northup was a free man and it was beautiful. He was free and happy with his family. The brutal part is watching
what they went through. It's scary to watch because nobody really did anything about it and I could never watch someone get beat
and killed. Black people are amazing in their history and what their ancestors went through is insane. In the film Northup knows he is
a free man yet he still does what they ask of him because he knows the outcome but, at the same time he still says what he believes
he knows he was building the house the way he wanted him to yet they still criticized what he was doing. He knew he was doing it
right and he told his “master’ and his ‘master’ did not like that.

5. Part of the enslavement process was to break the will of the African, remove his/her name and force the person to live under the
construct of another person’s name and definition. What do you think kept Solomon from falling into despair while living in this
horrific situation?

-He was trying to stay alive, he knows he’s a free man. He doesn’t want to fall in despair because he might still have hope. I think he
is a wise man and believes he might actually get out of the slavery. He knew he was a free man and he did not belong where he
was.

6. Why was the scene with the Indians important to the story?

-The Indians were kind and played their music with the slaves. I think it was important because they were kind and welcoming. And
they shared their food.

7. Solomon is lynched and allowed to hang for hours standing on his tip-toes because he is educated and smart, and dares
challenge his “master.” How are black men today treated in this same manner? - Because still to this day there is racism and some
people think that African Americans can't do everything that white people can because people are really like that and are hard
headed. I think African American men/women are amazing black history is so interesting to learn about. I really enjoy learning about
how many African Americans changed how the world is today. I never really knew much about slavery and learning more about
really has opened my eyes about alot of stuff. I think that Northup was so great for standing up to his master because he knew he
was in the right. He is just showing how strong he was and it amazes me because a lot of slaves were killed for that.

8. Why did the filmmaker take time to show the natural beauty of the south?
-Maybe it is trying to show how different it was then how it is now. In the movie it's really pretty it shows a little river and trees. But it
looks really hot so it would be awful. It may be beautiful in the south back then but the slaves had to work really hard and it was
probably really hot in the cabins as well.

9. Are you surprised by Master Ford's response after Northup tells him he was a free man? Why or why not? - I think maybe master
Ford cares but can't really do much except send him off to a new master. Because Northup is in danger from beating the other
master. But when Northup grabs master Ford I think he may believe he isn't a slave but he really can't do anything about it. I wasn't
too surprised because master Ford really can't do much. I bet he wants to do something but right now he wants Northup to stay
alive.

10. What has surprised you most so far about the film?

-How master ford was so kind to him, and didn’t want him to get killed.