Themes

Slavery and racism

One of the main themes in the film 12 Years a Slave directed by Steve McQueen is racism and slavery. The enslavement of black people is the main topic of the film and the book that it is based on. The film shows a brutal and realistic depiction of slavery and the violent injustices that black people were subjected to, especially on the plantations of the Deep South.

Solomon Northup is freeborn, from a state that has abolished slavery. However, when he is kidnapped and sold into slavery no one wants to hear this. Solomon tries to tell people who he is from the start, when he wakes up in Burch’s dungeon, but Burch does not care. He firmly insists that Solomon is a runaway slave from Georgia and whips him when Solomon refuses to admit this. It is quite likely that Burch knows or at least suspects Solomon’s true identity, but he does not care and only wants to make a profit by selling him. This complete disregard will be seen also in Freeman, who gives Solomon the name of Platt and refuses to listen to Solomon’s objections.

The slaves are subjected to indignities and dehumanizing practices. For example, as Freeman is showing potential buyers around, many slaves are without clothes, or are forced to perform certain actions to show...