Twelve Years a Slave: personer, tidslinje og steder

The narrator recounts his free birth, marriage to Anne Hampton, work, and family life in New York.

After accepting musical work and traveling to Washington, the narrator falls ill and wakes chained without his freedom papers.

Burch beats Northup for asserting his freedom, and Northup meets Eliza among the captives.

The captives leave Washington for Richmond, and Burch threatens Northup into silence about his freedom.

Robert’s death ends an escape plan, and Freeman confines the narrator under the imposed name Platt.

Sales separate Eliza from Randall and Emily, while an unnamed buyer purchases her, Harry, and Platt.

At Ford’s home and mills, Platt conceals his identity and earns approval through rafting and loom making.

After buying Platt, Tibeats attempts to whip him, then tries to hang him before Chapin intervenes.

Ford cuts Platt free after he spends the day bound in painful heat.

Platt fights off Tibeats, escapes pursuing hounds through water, and reaches Ford’s home for protection.

Ford demands that Tibeats sell Platt or hire him out, and Tibeats eventually sells him to Epps.

The narrator describes cotton labor under Epps, where picking quotas and whipping control enslaved workers.

The narrator falls seriously ill, but Epps returns him to work before he fully recovers.

After caterpillars ruin the cotton crop, the narrator works on a sugar plantation and unsuccessfully seeks escape assistance.

Christmas brings brief holidays, shared suppers, dancing, and visits among plantations.

Armsby betrays Platt’s attempt to send a letter, forcing him to deceive Epps and burn the appeal.

Repeated beatings drive Wiley to escape, but he returns after capture and receives no mercy from Epps.

Epps rejects Patsey’s explanation for visiting Harriet and subjects her to a savage whipping.

Solomon trusts Bass with his history, and Bass secretly writes letters seeking proof of his freedom.

Bass promises further help, and two strangers approach the cotton field on a cold January morning.

Henry B. Northup finds Solomon through Bass and secures his release from Epps with the sheriff’s help.

A court excludes Solomon’s testimony and releases Burch, after which Solomon reunites with his family in Glens Falls.