After being kidnapped from New York and sold into slavery, Solomon Northup uses his skills and carefully placed trust to survive and seek a way back to his family.
- Scenes 1–29
Solomon lives freely in Saratoga as a husband, father, worker, and musician.
- Scenes 30–65
Kidnapped and held under the imposed name Platt, Solomon must preserve his life and identity.
- Scene 86
Ford takes Solomon, Harry, and Eliza from Freeman; Eliza is dragged away from Emily, committing Solomon to plantation life and its family separations.
- Scene 87
Ford brings Solomon and the other captives into plantation life; Solomon must survive within a system that denies his identity.
- Just before
- Scene 108
Ford gives Solomon a fiddle as thanks for his work; Solomon appreciates the gift but hears “over the years” as a reminder of his captivity.
- Scene 109
Ford reads Scripture about protecting children and the consequences of harming them to the plantation’s gathered slaves.
- Scene 110
Ford admits his debts and transfers Solomon to Tibeats, who plans building work at a nearby plantation; Ford promises Solomon he will help if asked.
- Scene 111
This scene
