How could I adopt Northup’s technique of using contrasts?
Solomon Northup’s book was one of the most vivid descriptions I have read of the vile enthrallment of slavery. Every story and chapter is full of detail and information that describes the pure evil ways of slavery. The book begins with him describing life of being a free man who lives in the North. He is a violin player, and a good one at that. One day, he is tricked into thinking he is getting a job. In reality, he was being kidnapped and sold into slavery. The way he writes his dialogue and narrative makes his stories even more gripping. Throughout the book he uses contrasts to his advantage. Him having done this, created a fascinating read, and an important historical account of early America.
As stated previously, Solomon Northup wrote a great book with very engrossing accounts. Each chronicle is more factual and interesting than the one before it. He uses very paramount ways of writing to entrap the reader in the book, and keep tyhem reading. One of these ways is the use of contrasts. He uses contrasts in his stories, and it benefits him greatly. Because of using these contrasts, it shows how he made his decisions and how they affected his life. Many people can relate to this, and find the book more approachable. Contrasts provide a sense of respectability and sympathy for the reader and the writer. In a way, the reader and writer become more connected because of the bonds that are discovered in the book.
As noted in the paragraph above, Mr. Northup uses Contrasts in his book. This works in his favor because it creates a bond between the reader and the writer. This is because the reader can relate to the difficulty of decisions and the consequences they create. I do plan on including Contrasts in my own autobiography. I can implement Northup’s way of contrast to create sympathy. The reason for difference is to show the difficulty of life. Contrast is meant to show how consequences affect life. So including them will create sympathy for the writer, and respectability for the writer.
An example of Mr. Northup’s contrasts are his two lives. One life was being a slave in captivity. The other life was being a free man who had a wife and children. He compares the two lifers and explains the differences for each. This creates sympathy. He explains how he misses his children, and misses his wife. This creates sympathy. He contrasts the way he lived from each other. Any one reading this book would feel sympathy for the writer. But it also provides respectability and connection the writer.
Solomon Northup was born a free man who lived in the North. He had a wife and children, who he loved. He was a violin player, and loved to play. However, do bondage and subjugation, all of that was torn from his hands. He felt sorrow and guilt, but he kept a positive spirit. He held his head high. Not only, was the book fascinating, but it created much sympathy for him. Although it may not be relatable in today’s world, the use of contrast creates sympathy and a feeling of respectability.
JBSchool 