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.