Twelve Years a Slave is based on a true story. This book is a story by Solomon Northup. Who he is and what his identity is are all described in this book. The title of this book, Twelve Years a Slave, explains the twelve years Northup spent in slavery. He was a citizen of New York. Solomon Northup, the story's protagonist, was born a free African American in July 1808. He was married to Anne Hampton and had three children: Elizabeth, age ten; Margaret, eight years old; Alonzo, five years old. Solomon Northup was a free man, kidnapped into slavery for twelve years in Washington, DC, at the age of 32. Two men named Brown and Hamilton kidnapped him in 1841, offered him a job in a circus, and drugged him. Shortly after his escape, he published his memoirs to great acclaim and took legal action against his captors, although they were never prosecuted. Solomon Northup in Twelve Years a Slave is an interesting character because the author presents him as a very intelligent and creative person, caring and kind, persistent and hopeful. Throughout the book, Northup is portrayed as an intelligent and creative person. Before being sold into slavery, he worked as a carpenter and violinist. He was not only versatile; he was a keen observer of human nature. When he was sold into slavery, he saw how desperate slaves were and treated like emotionless machines. Unlike other slaves, he was born free and therefore had the privilege of receiving an education. So he was intelligent and more creative than the other slaves. He had to learn to adapt to get his own food, when food was less, which he did. Under the direction of Northup's first petty officer, William Ford, through Solomon's creativity, he built a raft that allowed lumber to be transported quickly...... middle of paper......e that he failed in the difficulties. Throughout the book, author Solomon Northup created Solomon Northup, the main character, as a very likeable person. The way he described Northup's journey can arouse sympathy for the reader. The Solomon Northup race, being black, plays an important role. He was mistreated because he was black. His story has served as an important cultural symbol of the lives of slaves on southern plantations during antebellum America. There isn't much described about his physical appearance, but readers can definitely tell that he has a beautiful heart. If you ask me, I think Solomon Northup is no less a hero. Works Cited Northup, Solomon. Twelve years a slave. Account of Solomon Northup, citizen of New York, kidnapped in Washington in 1841 and rescued in 1853 from a cotton plantation near the Red River, Louisiana. Auburn: Derby and Miller, 1853. Print.