Summary

The film 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen begins with several scenes presenting Solomon Northup’s life as a slave on a plantation. Solomon stands among a group of other slaves while an overseer instructs them on how to pick sugar cane. Then, while eating, Solomon looks at the blackberry juice on his plate and starts gathering it. Later, he uses the juice to write a letter.

The narrative moves back to the past, in Saratoga, New York, where Solomon is playing the violin to a group of white people who are dancing. Everyone is cheerful, including Solomon. Then, Solomon goes home to his wife and two children. The next day, Solomon says goodbye to his wife and children as they depart in a carriage.

At another event, and an acquaintance of Solomon’s introduces him to Mr. Brown and Mr. Hamilton. The two are circus promoters and are looking for someone to play music for their performances in Washington. The pay seems good, and Solomon agrees to join them.

In Washington, the circus seems to be successful, and on the last night, Solomon celebrates with Mr. Brown and Mr. Hamilton. He does not remember much of the rest of the night, except that he got sick and Brown and Hamilton put him to bed. He wakes up in a shed in chains and does not know how he got there.

A man named Burch comes in. Solomon tries to tell him who he is, but he does not have any papers, ...