Twelve Years a Slave, Chapter 6 summary

What happens

1. Freeman gives the captives clean clothes, arranges them by height, and makes them dance; Platt demonstrates his skill on the violin.
2. Customers examine bodies and bargain over prices; David and Caroline leave together, while Lethe and Randall go to another planter.
3. Eliza begs Randall’s buyer to purchase her and Emily too, but he refuses because he cannot afford them.
4. Smallpox sends Platt, Harry, Eliza, and Emily to hospital; Platt survives severe illness and returns to Freeman’s pen.
5. A new buyer purchases Platt, Harry, and Eliza, then offers to buy Emily after witnessing her mother’s distress.
6. Freeman refuses the offer, tears Emily from Eliza, and sends the purchased captives away while the child calls after her mother.

In this chapter

What to notice

Platt’s response to Randall’s departure shows both shared grief and the fear that prevents captives from expressing it.

Quick check