James R. Bradley's Contention and Desired Freedom

Patsey upon arriving back at Epps' plantation.

In his letter to Lydia Marie Child, James R. Bradley mentions that slaves desired freedom yet kept it to themselves to avoid hasher treatment. The film “12 Years a Slave” supports this contention since it comes up several times throughout the film. One instance in which this contention is brought up and supported in the film is between Solomon and a fellow slave on a boat. In this instance, the slave tells Solomon that he must keep his wish and desire to be free secret if he wishes to live. As a former slave, the man gives insight into the treatment of slaves who told about their desire to be free. A second instance in which Mr. Bradley’s contention is supported is when Solomon is first sold to Mr. Ford. Several weeks pass on Mr. Ford’s plantation in which Solomon finally talks to a weeping mother. In the discussion Solomon mentions that he wishes to be free and with his family once more. He mentions this only to her on Mr. Fords’ plantation since she can relate. He knows that if anyone else knows about his desire to be free and with his family again, he will be treated harsher by his master and the overseers on the plantation. A third instance in which this contention is supported is with Patsey, a fellow slave on Epps’ plantation. On the Sabbath Patsey goes to the Shaw plantation to get soap to bath since she is not provided with it on Epps’ plantation, and Epps’ thinks she has run away. Upon arriving back at Epps’, Patsey reveals that she wanted the soap to bath since she has not in weeks. Patsey’s visit to the Shaw plantation is a slight representation of the freedom she desires and for this desire, she is whipped.

Solomon and the man on the boat.

Role of Violence in the Slave Society

Solomon whipping Patsey.

In the slave society violence from the owners was a way of disciplining the slaves. It was also a way of showing the slaves who was in charge and how they were to behave. The violence in the slave society was a way to create and instill fear into the slaves. The violence from the slave owners was a way to get the slaves to do what they were supposed to do and how they were supposed to do their tasks. The owners used violence to keep their slaves in line and to show how the work was to be done. Several examples of the violence used on the slaves were whipping, beating and lynching. The more a slave was whipped, the more it feared its master. For instance, while a slave for Epps, Solomon, or Platt, was forced to work in the fields picking cotton. The average amount of cotton that a slave in the field should be able to pick is 200 pounds and when Solomon only picked 140 pounds, he was whipped so he would learn to pick faster and more. Another example from the movie about the violence in the salve society was when Patsey was whipped. Patsey, another slave of Epps, went to get soap for herself from another plantation. When she returned Epps was looking for her and when he found her, he forced Solomon to whip her. Another case of violence was when Solomon was almost hanged. At his first plantation, Solomon disobeyed an overseer, called Tibeats, during construction. Tibeats later came back and attempted to hang Solomon but was stopped by another overseer.

Tibeats attempt to hang Solomon.

Ownership Changes and Slave Lives

Mr Ford (center), Solomon (left) and Tibeats (right).

Mr. Ford and Solomon.

Working and living conditions changed and/or were affected with or by ownership. Different slave owners had different beliefs. All slave owners had different expectations. Because different slave owners had different beliefs and expectations, they treated their slaves differently with different punishments and severity levels. They instilled different conditions on their slaves. After being captured, Solomon was sold to a slave owner called Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford was a kindhearted owner (despite the fact that he owned slaves) who liked Solomon. Mr. Ford valued Solomon’s input and suggestions. While a slave for Mr. Ford, Solomon and other slaves were able to service others for pay and keep the pay. The living conditions on Mr. Ford’s plantation were easy as his slaves would be grouped in cabins and not overcrowded. Because of Solomon’s hard work and nature, he was granted a violin by Mr. Ford and a treasured place with Mr. Ford. With Mr. Ford Solomon was respected and complimented. However, Solomon was then sold to Mr. Epps because his was no longer safe at Mr. Ford’s plantation due to a brawl with the rude and harsh overseer, Tibeats. Upon arriving at Mr. Epps’ plantation Solomon was treated harshly. He was whipped from the start for not picking at least the average weight of cotton. Solomon was not used to the working conditions or living conditions set by Mr. Epps’ since he had been treated respectfully by Mr. Ford. Mr. Epps’ living conditions were terrible as he bunched his slaves into large cabins and overcrowded them.

Mr. Epps and Solomon.