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Allusions
Key Examples in 12 Years a Slave
Chapter 16
Explanation and Analysis—Southern Dialects:
Solomon intentionally takes time to capture the different Southern dialects of the characters in 12 Years a Slave, one of the many ways he persuades readers to trust that this is a realistic depiction of slavery in the South. Patsey’s dialect, for example, communicates her position as an uneducated enslaved person in Louisiana, as seen in the scene where she says goodbye to Solomon in Chapter 21:
“Oh! Platt,” she cried, tears streaming down her face, “you’re goin’ to be free—you’re goin’ way off yonder where we’ll neber see ye any more. You’ve saved me a good many whippins, Platt; I’m glad you’re goin’ to be free—but oh! de Lord, de Lord! what’ll become of me?”
Related Themes:
Chapter 21
Explanation and Analysis—Southern Dialects:
Solomon intentionally takes time to capture the different Southern dialects of the characters in 12 Years a Slave, one of the many ways he persuades readers to trust that this is a realistic depiction of slavery in the South. Patsey’s dialect, for example, communicates her position as an uneducated enslaved person in Louisiana, as seen in the scene where she says goodbye to Solomon in Chapter 21:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Oh! Platt,” she cried, tears streaming down her face, “you’re goin’ to be free—you’re goin’ way off yonder where we’ll neber see ye any more. You’ve saved me a good many whippins, Platt; I’m glad you’re goin’ to be free—but oh! de Lord, de Lord! what’ll become of me?”
Related Themes:
