Louis hughes was born in 1832 on a plantation near charlottesville, virginia, his mother an enslaved woman, his father a white man. Elizabeth keckley, behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house new york. Below is a copy of trinity churchs study guide for 12 years a slave. Looming over the critical discussion of 12 years a slave are two widely.
Or, thirty years a slave and four years in the white house. Lincoln financially and partly to counter criticism of mrs. It is a powerful film all faith communities should watch and discuss. Upon its publication, keckleys memoir created a scandal that compelled mary todd lincoln to sever all ties with her, but in the decades since, keckleys story has languished in the archives. Lupita nyongo earned an oscar for her role in 12 years a slave, while erivo stars in the upcoming harriet tubman biopic. Or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house paperback may 25, 2017. Ask and answer questions about the novel or view study guides, literature essays and more. The book was published in 1853 and according to documenting the american south, the book sold over thirty thousand copies.
Its your book club is an eclectic group of people drawn together for the purpose of promoting diversity, culture and dialogue through the written word. A discussion of elizabeth keckleys behind the scenes. Behind the scenes formerly a slave, but more recently modiste, and friend to mrs. Elizabeth hobbs keckley february 1818 may 1907 was a former slave turned successful seamstress who is most notably known as being mary todd lincolns personal modiste and confidante, and the author of her autobiography, behind the scenes or, thirty years. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup reading guidebook. Start discussion here for twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Thirty years a slave and four years in the white house. Fox searchlight released its new film, 12 years a slave, last friday night in theaters. From bondage to freedom is an example of a literary form known as the slave narrative or captivity literature.
The leisure hours allowed me were generally either employed over my books. Within our museum walls we discuss slavery every day but its an entirely. In 1868, keckley published a detailed account of her life in the autobiography behind the scenes. Behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house kindle edition by keckley, elizabeth. Ultimately, thirty years a slave is an expression of hughess desire to accurately describe the nature of the influence that the institution of slavery had on this country during the two hundred years in which it existed here, and the influence it continues to have on the heart and soul of a postcivil war, post14th amendment united states.
It reads, twelve years a slave narrative of solomon northup, a citizen of new york, kidnapped in washington city in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river, in louisiana. Twelve years a slave solomon northup, 1853, 1968, 2008 penguin group usa 288 pp. Fred jordan history 2010 30 november 2015 twelve years a slave twelve years a slave is a book which is written by solomon northup. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup the story that inspired the major motion picture, with an introduction by the bestselling author of wench, dolen.
Using this discussion, create a class graphic organizer of the. On monday night trinity rented 3 theaters in chicago and 700 people from the church went to see the film. Keckley published behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house in 1868, partly to help mrs. In 1844 he was sold to edward mcgee, owner of a large plantation in northern mississippi. His description in the book of how he ended up revealing the hiding place of some of these runaways is telling, for he describes a scene one. Morris county library book club join us every third wednesday of the month for a lively book discussion. This remarkable autobiography recounts the life of louis hughes, born a slave in virginia, who secretly learned to read and. Thirty years a slave and four years in the white house by. The institution of slavery as seen on the plantation and in the home of the planter. Oprah hosted lupita nyongo, cynthia erivo for book club. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup graymalkin media, paperback, 9781631680021, february 2014, 248pp. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house. Book questions and reading guides discussion guides for book clubs more than 500 printable reading guides for exceptional books. Their purpose was to give the white northerners a firsthand glimpse of slavery and to enlist them in the antislavery crusade.
Or, thirty years a slave and four years in the white house 1868. I copy it from the scrap book in which she pasted it, with many tears, with her own hands. A slave, friend and confidante to mary todd lincoln, and a proprietor with more than twenty employees of her own tells her tale. From bondage to freedom by louis hughes, a free text and ebook for easy online reading, study, and reference. Thirty years a slave by louis hughes free at loyal books. Thirty years a slave provides a great deal of information about the complex relationships between slaves and masters, along with graphic accounts of the physical abuse slaves endured, and details about slave markets, slave religion, and the organization of plantation work. Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoyed the blessings of liberty in a free stateand having at the end of that time been kidnapped and sold into slavery, where i. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy.
Scssaww will offer a moderated discussion on elizabeth keckleys behind the scenes. Recommended for book clubs by author, all with discussion guides. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before the american civil war. Page 30,a more forgiving grandmother would have let preston have it the fleece for a day of play, since it clearly made him happy. Twelve years a slave book by solomon northup, dolen perkins. Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoyed the. Elizabeth keckley audio books, best sellers, author bio. Elizabeth hobbs keckley february 1818 may 1907 was a former slave turned successful seamstress who is most notably known as being mary todd lincolns personal modiste and confidante, and the author of her autobiography, behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave and four years in the white house. Book club discussion on kindred morris county library. The real buzz of the book club discussion was the subject of. Northups book presents a more complex picture of slave life than does the movie, which concentrates sharply on themes of oppression and victimization. As henry louis gates jr, an expert on slave narratives and consultant on the film 12 years a s lave, has noted, literacy was the very commodity that separated animal from human being, slave.
Solomon northups twelve years a slave was one of some 150 socalled slave narratives published before the civil war. Attention to details in the story can open opportunities for classroom discussion. The project gutenberg ebook of behind the scenes, by. Martin grey, a smart, talented black lawyer working out of a storefront in queens, becomes friendly with a group of some of the most powerful, wealthy, and esteemed black men in america. Ultimately, thirty years a slave is an expression of hughess desire to accurately describe the nature of the influence that the institution of slavery had on this country during the two hundred plus years in which it existed here, and the influence it continues to have on the heart and soul of a postcivil war, post14th amendment united states. Forty acres book by dwayne alexander smith official. Thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house which was. Hughes life, particularly its early challenges associated with slavery are presented in a recognizing the human rights struggle of my own time, i am taking a look back at the abolition of slavery in the united states to specifically examine the. Behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave, and four years in the white house. A teachers guide to twelve years a slave by solomon northup. Each month a book is chosen that will stimulate discussion and educate. Behind the scenes or, thirty years a slave, and four years.
A young black attorney confronts issues of race and power as he uncovers a shocking conspiracy in the most pageturning and provocative thriller since the firm. Theyre like having inclass notes for every discussion. We also compared this book to movies and books such as 12 years a slave, the invention of wings, and flight of the sparrow. Summary of behind the scenes, or, thirty years a slave. Still, 12 years a s lave offers many teachable moments for historians.
Although the book enabled northup to restore his familys prosperity. Forrest wickman of slate wrote of northups book giving a more favorable account of the authors onetime master. The santa clarita public library is ready with lots of resources to help you make your book club meetings memorable. Meetings books and better education book club babe babe meets the 2nd saturday of every month 10. Twelve years a slave is a slave narrative as told to the editor david wilson, by solomon northrup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members twelve years a slave by solomon northup is a memoir of a black man who was born free in new york state but kidnapped, sold into slavery and kept in bondage for 12 years in louisiana before the american civil war. The latest oprahs book club selection tells the story of hiram walker, an escaped slave who discovers he has a supernatural ability. Twelve years a slave by solomon northup 1636 words 7 pages. January the snow child by eowyn ivey february where the crawdads. Book club thirty years a slave and four in the white house. There are up to 30 million people enslaved in the world today according to the. Keckley did not foresee the overwhelming public disapproval for publishing personal details about mrs.