Solomon Northup is the most important character. He is the one who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, and the whole story is told from his perspective. Then there is Edwin Epps, the cruel slave master who made Solomon's life extremely difficult.
One of the main themes is slavery itself. It shows the inhumane and brutal nature of slavery, how people were treated like property. Another theme is survival. The protagonist had to endure countless hardships and still find a way to survive. And there is also the theme of hope, as he never completely lost hope of regaining his freedom throughout the twelve years.
Definitely. The book depicts a real-life account within a historical context, using fictional elements to bring the narrative to life and make it more engaging for readers. So, it's historical fiction.
One key aspect is the extreme brutality and inhumane treatment of slaves. Solomon Northup was kidnapped and sold into slavery, facing harsh whippings and back - breaking labor. Another aspect is the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the terrible conditions, Northup never lost his will to regain his freedom and expose the truth of slavery.
One key theme is the inhumane nature of slavery. It shows how slaves were treated as property, with no rights. Another theme is the resilience of the human spirit, as Solomon Northup endured for twelve years and still fought for freedom.