12 Years a Slave

by Solomon Northup

12 Years a Slave: Setting 1 key example

Definition of Setting

Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or it can be an imagined... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the city of New York, or... read full definition
Setting is where and when a story or scene takes place. The where can be a real place like the... read full definition
Chapter 19
Explanation and Analysis:

12 Years a Slave starts out in New York state (where Solomon is living as a free man), with a brief stint in Washington, D.C. (where he is kidnapped), and ultimately lands in the Red River region of Louisiana (where he is enslaved for 12 years). Near the end of the memoir, Solomon ends up reversing his journey, spending time in Washington, D.C. to fight his case in court before ending up back in New York, reunited with his family.