Here's one thing I find interesting about the characters in 12 Years a Slave: There are several pairs of characters, each representing a different world view or way of being. They are presented at the same or different times in Solomon's life to present choices on how to act. Examples: Robert and Clemens: On the boat after he abducted, Robert suggests they should revolt and escape, Clemens says the only thing to do is stay quiet and survive. When Robert attempts to stop a rape, he is killed. This sends a powerful message to Solomon, and sets him on a path he follows in order to stay alive. Ford and Epps: The two white men to own Solomon, Ford much kinder than Epps who is a tyrant. With Ford, Solomon has more room to express his intelligence and musical abilities. With Epps, there is little room for any latitude in his behavior. This also has the effect of making Solomon's life more difficult and upping the odds against his survival, let alone escape. Eliza and Patsey: Eliza cannot give up her grief at losing her children. Her constant weeping helps to drive home to Solomon the importance of restraining emotions. Patsey is an incredible picker of cotton, the opposite of Eliza in doing her work, even keeping quiet for much of the time as Epps makes her his concubine. Tibeats and Chapin: The former is an overt racist and violent slave handler who has it out for Solomon, while Chapin has a more enlightened view of the slaves, seeing their value as economic commodities, even though he does string up Solomon to hang by a noose for several hours to teach him a lesson. Armsby and Bass: Both are white laborers, Armsby betrays Solomon's trust by taking Solomon's money and giving over info to Epps, Bass helps Solomon escape. Several pairs of characters representing different personality types and world views with Solomon placed between to figure out which course of action he should take time and time again.