In the opening pages of Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon Northup describes his life as a free man in New York, where he worked as a farmer and violinist and lived with his wife and children. Which statement best describes the effect of Northup's choice to begin his memoir with that information?
A. It causes the reader to question Northup's reliability as a narrator when he later describes the brutality of enslavement.
B. It reveals that Northup is resourceful and resilient, traits that he will need to survive his years in captivity.
C. It depicts Northup as a highly literate and educated individual, which foreshadows his ability to document his time in bondage in detail.
D. It establishes a contrast between his life as a free man and his later experiences as an enslaved person, making his enslavement more shocking for the reader.
Answer (2)
The best statement that describes the effect of Solomon Northup's choice to start his memoir with his life as a free man is D, as it establishes a contrast between his freedom and his later enslavement, making his captivity more shocking. This contrast highlights the emotional impact of his loss of freedom and the brutality of slavery. By depicting a fulfilling life before captivity, Northup allows readers to feel the tragedy of his experiences more acutely.
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Solomon Northup begins his memoir by contrasting his previous life as a free man with his later experiences of enslavement. This contrast enhances the emotional impact of his story, making the shocking nature of his captivity more pronounced. It effectively cultivates empathy in readers by highlighting the profound loss he endured. ;
