In chapter 3 we read about the capture of Northop. Once captured, Northop has some conversations that reveal his uncertainty of his situation. Describe the first conversation Northop has with Burch as he is asked "well, my boy, how do you feel now?" Explain how Northop's conversations and thoughts in chapter 3 change as he realizes his new situation and what makes him come to this realization?
Due Friday, (I know there is no school, still due) 25 Points.
As this chapter progresses, Northup comes face to face with the situation that lies ahead. His first conversation with Burch is not much of a conversation at all, but a desperate plea for Burch to understand that he is indeed a free man. Although Northup is indeed free, Burch does not believe him and commences by beating him and explaining to him that he is in fact not free and when he orders for his freedom he gets beaten. Northup's whole mindset changes after this beating. He begins to understand the seriousness in his situation and that his words do not mean a thing to the white men who have him as a captive. Also, when Northup has the conversation with Ray and Williams about his life in New York, he begins to realize how African Americans truly are treated and how the truly live throughout the Southern states. Northup's biggest realization comes about when Randall's Mother comes to visit him. Her children that accompany her are destined to be slaves without having any say in the matter and the mother's emotions towards the situation really impact Northup mentally and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteThree hours after Solomon was kidnapped, he began to realize that he was in a dark and damp underground prison. The prison, called Williams' Slave Pen, was located in the middle of the capitol city. James H Burch, a slave dealer in Washington, captured Solomon and was in charge of his imprisonment. Burch entered Solomon’s prison and asked him how he felt. Solomon answered truthfully that he was sick and that he desired to know why he had been falsely captured as a slave. Burch said that Solomon was now his slave and that he was going to be brought down to New Orleans. Solomon then stated that he was a free man from Saratoga with a free family and that he was not a slave. Solomon continued to say that he was not a slave until Burch got angry, yelling that Solomon was just a runaway from Georgia. Burch, after he disappeared for a second, returned with a whip. Burch whipped Solomon, occasionally stopping to ask Solomon if he was a free man. Solomon continued to repeat that he was a free man and he continued to be whipped. Eventually, Solomon no longer had strength to speak and Burch stopped whipping him.
ReplyDeleteAfter having been whipped, Solomon was so nervous that the presence of any human made him fearful. The other slaver, Radburn, brought Solomon food twice a day and advised him to speak less. Solomon became uncomfortable, sore, weak, and tired and when he fell asleep, he dreamed of being in Saratoga with his family. Solomon continued to think about his capturers and refused to believe that it was Brown and Hamilton. Eventually, Solomon met other slaves in Williams’ Slave Pen including Ray, Williams, and a 10-year-old boy. He listened to their stories and told them his stories of living in freedom in the North. Solomon felt very sad when he met Eliza, the little boy's mother, also a slave. Eliza's master had told her that she was going to be freed if she went where her master had said to go. Eliza got dressed up, anxious for freedom, only to find that she was actually sold to Burch and it was all a trick.
Solomon learned many horrors of slavery during the two weeks in Washington. He learned that in order to survive, he had to keep quiet and be obedient. Solomon would not give in to slavery, but he had to submit for the time being in order to be reunited with his family.
Burch asks Northup how he is feeling because before this he had gotten beaten. Northup refused to say that he was a slave. Instead he insisted on saying that he was a free man with a free family in Saratoga. The masters did not like this so the began to beat him with a paddle. The said they would continue to beat him until he said he was a slave. Northup refused and insisted on saying he was free and not lying about being a slave. so they continued to beat him, he described it as being in hell. They beat him until he was no longer able to speak. When Burch comes in after the beating he asks Northup how he is doing. Northup is soar and sick from the beating. Burch tells him that if he obeys masters orders he will not have to worry about beatings. Northup gets feed twice a day. He continues to be looked up in the cell. Finding it hard to sleep because of the cold and his wonds. He recieves a blanket meant for a horse. This helps him sleep but when he does he dreams of being back in Saratoga with his family. Then he wakes up to realize that it is only a dream he once was living.
ReplyDeleteNorthup begins to hear other slaves stories when they are let outside for a while each day. He also becomes popular to hear stories of freedom from. The other slaves ask about freedom which has only ever been a dream for them. He tells his stories of his liberties he had in New York. Along with his stories if joys comes stories of horrors. He learns of Eliza's story. Eliza was a girl whos mother had her with a slave master. She was half black and half white not seeming to fit in with the slaves. Her master who was her father had always promised her freedom. When she was told that she was being brought to Washington to get her freedom paper she was stunned with excitement only to be stunned with anger a few hours later. Instead of getting her freedom papers she was sold into slavery. She weeps every day dreaming of the life she could have had if free. After hearing stories of slaves Northup realizes that he was luck to have his freedom. He also comes to a conclusion that gaining that freedom back will be a huge challange.
In the beginning of his enslavement, Northup is mystified as to where he is and why he is there. He soon realizes that his captor is a man named James Burch, who is a slave dealer in Washington. At first Northup tries to convince Burch of his status as a free man, but every time he does, Burch whips him. Eventually, Northup loses the energy to argue with Burch after being whipped and beaten so much. After a few days in captivity, Northup makes the acquaintances of several other slaves that are in captivity with him. The first was a man named Clemens Ray, whom he learned had lived in Washington and was very smart. Ray fully understood the predicament he was in and that he was 'overwhelmed' with grief at the thought of going to the south. The second man was named John Williams. Northup learned that Williams was born and raised in Virginia, not terribly far from Washington. Burch had accepted Washintong as a settlement of debt. The next, a young boy about ten years old, was named Randall, he didn't quite understand the situation he was in and often called for his mother, wondering where she was. Otherwise, Northup, said, Randall was a very happy young child.
ReplyDeleteNorthup soon became a source of fascination for the other captives, as he was the only one who had ever experienced freedom. Northup stayed in the slave pen for about two weeks. At the very end of his stay in the pen, a slave named Eliza and her daughter Emily are brought in. They happen to be Randall's family. Eliza's story is a sad one, as most of her life she was shown kindness by her master, but then by some unfortunate incident, was turned over to his mean wife, who promptly sold her into slavery. Northup learns very quickly that he won't be able to get out of his enslavement easily or fast, but he is determined that he will one day be free again.
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ReplyDeleteAs Solomon Northup begins to take in his surroundings he sees that he is being held captive in the basement of a Washington slave dealer named James Burch. Burch asks Solomon how he feels, Northup responds characteristically with an honest answer. His honesty got him deeper in trouble when he tried to convince Burch that he was indeed a free man. The more times Northup tries to convince his freedom the more he is beaten into silence. After being whipped so many times Northup has no power left to even talk, Burch has no choice but to stop.
ReplyDeleteLiving with more slaves in this pen, Solomon realizes that earning his freedom will not be easy, but nothing in life has ever been easy so he vowed that one-day he would be free again. Once he finally gets enough sleep he dreams that he is home in Saratoga but when he wakes up he realizes that this is all a dream and that he is still held captive. Having to earn and create a living by himself Solomon knows how hard it is to get things done being a black man. He knows regaining freedom will be a challenge but he also knows that one day he will join his children and family in Saratoga in the future.
Northup’s first conversation with Burch, a well-known slave dealer in Washington, started out as an exchange of words and ended with Northup being beaten brutally. When Burch first entered and asked Northup how he felt, Northup inquired about his imprisonment. Burch replied that Northup was his slave that he bought and was going to send to New Orleans. Northup stated that he was a free man from Saratoga with a family, but Burch denied this and stated that he came from Georgia. Northup continued to deny this lie, but Burch insisted upon it and grew angry. He yelled obscene and vulgar things at Northup and then began to whip him. Even as Northup was being whipped he continued to deny what Burch was saying and only stopped when the pain became unbearable. Burch said that if Northup ever dared to state that he was free that something worse would happen to him than the beating and he would either conquer or kill him. This beating makes Northup realize the severity of his situation.
ReplyDeleteWhile being imprisoned Northup meets other slaves including Williams, and a boy. They were all very curious about Northup’s life in freedom in New York and he tells them about it. Northup also learns from them about the horrible things that go on with slavery in the south and how serious his situation is. Northup learns about a tragic story when he meets Eliza who was never granted her freedom. This has a great effect on Northup, but even after hearing this he still seems determined to survive and make it back, and he knows it’s going to be tough.
In chapter 3, Northup and Burch have their first conversation, it does not go well for Northup. When asked how he is feeling, Northup replies that he's sick and wants to know under what circumstances he is a prisoner in this dark place. Burch says that he's his slave, to which Northup replies he is a free man. This was not smart of Northup, as Burch continuously beats him as Northup sustains the validity of his own freedom. For some reason, Burch insists that Northup is a runaway slave from Georgia which of course is not true. Either Burch is lying in order to defend his claim of Northup's slavery, or for whatever reason, he actually believes he is a runaway slave.
ReplyDeleteWhile improsoned, Northup's character changes as he becomes more away of his unfortunate predicament. Also imprisoned alongside him are three other slaves. He learns from them, more about where he is and why, and also that it would be in his best interest to remain quiet and accept hi fate. Arguing against his captors would only lead to severe beatings. He concludes that regaining his freedom will be a huge challenge, but he is determined in being a free man once again
At the beginning of Chapter 3, Northup realizes he's being held captive in an underground slave pen. His captor is James Burch, a well known slave dealer in Washington. During their first conversation, Burch asks Northup how he's feeling. Northup then tells his captor that he's sick and he also asks about why he was captured. Burch snaps back and says that he is now his slave and he is preparing to send him to New Orleans. Northup then pleads with Burch that he is a free man with a wife and children in Saratoga. Burch denied these claims and insisted that Northup was nothing but a runaway from Georgia. Northup then continued to plead that he was a free man and Burch got angry and proceeded to beat and whip Northup. He asked Northup repeatedly if he was a free man during the beating, and when Northup replied yes, he continued to beat him harshly. This made Northup realize how awful his situation really was.
ReplyDeleteA few hours after the beating, Radburn, the man who was with Burch, entered the slave pen and brought Solomon food. He advised Northup to keep quiet and not mention anything about being a free man. Northup also meets other slaves at Burch's residence. He meets Williams, Ray, and a ten year old boy. They speak in private, away from their captors. Northup tells them stories about the North and being a freeman. The other slaves tell Northup about their journeys and how they ended up where they are. As the chapter progresses, Northup realizes that he is up against a tough battle for his freedom, and it would be best to keep quiet about ever being a free man, in order to save himself.
Northup's first interactions with Burch are quite brutal. Upon meeting Burch for the first time Northup denies that he is a slave from Georgia. He insists that he is a freedman from Saratoga. Each time Northup refuses Burch's declaration that he is a slave from Georgia, Burch beats him with a whip. Although, Northup never actually gives into Burch's lie, Burch soon realized that it no longer worth whipping him and returns him to his underground cell. After returning to his cell, Northup tries to convince himself in his head that once Burch and Radburn discover that he is actually a "free man," he will be returned to his family.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the next morning when Northup discovers 3 new slaves in the pen, and then later a free women and her children, he becomes much more aware of the severity of his situation. It becomes evident to Northup after his conversations with the two older male slaves, and the mother, that he will not escape this situation, and that he will almost certain life out the rest of his years as a slave in New Orleans. Throughout chapter three, Northup's hope of escaping William's Slave Pen in Washington and returning to his family slowly disappears. At the end of the chapter, as Northup rests in his underground cell while listing to the woman crying over her children, and their inevitable fate as slaves, Northup himself finally realizes that he is no longer a free man.
During Northup's first interaction with Burch, Northup ends up being brutally beating and abused. At first, Solomon tries to convince Burch that he is a free man with a wife and children in Saratoga and demands liberation, but Burch claims that Northup is a runaway slave from Georgia. Unable to silence Northup, and fearful of being overheard, Burch ordered Radburn to bring in the paddle and the cat-o'-ninetails, two torturing devices. While Northup was being abused, he would not give in to Burch's lie; eventually Northup grew silent and stopped replying to Burch's questions, but still would not accept the fate Burch was forcing upon him.
ReplyDeleteA few hours after his flogging Radburn enters the room and advises Northup that it would be in his best interest to talk little about the subject of freedom. After several days, Northup is introduced to three other slaves at the William's Slave Pen. The other captives, enthralled by Solomon's stories of the free North, fill Northup in on their current situation, and after hearing Eliza's story, Northup is convinced of the horrors of slavery and the white man.
Chapter 3 is the start to the hard times for poor Solomon Northrup. When he awakes, after a night of fun, in a small, dark room, chained to the floor of Williams slave pen. The pen is located right outside of the capital city. We then meet a man referred to as Burch, whom Solomon now belongs to. Burch asks Solomon how he is feeling, and because Solomon is accustomed to his civilized lifestyle he responds with that he isn't well. Obviously Burch doesn't care and Solomon goes on to tell Burch that he is in fact, a free man. But when Solomon exclaims this, Burch becomes violent and begins to beat him. Burch goes on for awhile, stopping on occasion to ask if Solomon is still a free man; but Solomon continues to reply with yes. Eventually Solomon is so beat that he cannot speak; from here, Solomon is sore, and anxious every time someone enters the room. During his experience in Washington DC, Solomon learns to keep his head down and keep his thoughts to himself. He doesn't speak of his past life, because if the wrong person found out he could be killed. And all Solomon wants to do is reunite with his family, so getting killed wasn't an option.
ReplyDeleteSolomon’s violin is really everything. It keeps his hope alive during the darkest times of his 12 years as a slave. The instrument gave him something to hold onto both physically and mentally. At times, Solomon seemed to be losing himself or in other words, his sanity; due to his harsh environment. But when he’d pick up that fiddle and begin to play, he was himself again; full of pois and charm. The violin was his escape, it brought him to a place that reminded him of home, with his family in Saratoga. Solomon’s violin symbolized so much greatness throughout the book, that when he finally destroys it out of anger, we know how bad things were getting. How much the life of the slave was bothering him, taking over, the light at the end of the tunnel quickly fading out.
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