Chapter XXII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Injustice of Slavery

  Solomon's narrative exposes the systemic injustice of slavery, including the kidnapping of free citizens and the failure of the legal system to provide redress.

• Hypocrisy of American Freedom

  The contrast between Solomon's status as a free New York citizen and his enslavement in the South highlights the hypocrisy of American ideals of liberty.

• Resilience and Hope

  Solomon's return to his family and his hope for a peaceful future demonstrate resilience and the enduring human spirit.

• Corruption of Power

  The acquittal of Burch through false testimony and legal manipulation illustrates the corruption of power within the judicial system.

Characters to notice

• Solomon Northup

  Returns to his family, recounts the trial against Burch, and concludes his narrative.

• Henry B. Northup

  Acts as counsel for Solomon during the legal proceedings in Washington.

• James H. Burch

  Prosecuted for kidnapping but acquitted after presenting false testimony.

• Anne Northup

  Reunites with Solomon at their cottage in Glens Falls.

• Elizabeth

  One of Solomon's daughters, present at the reunion.

• Margaret

  Solomon's daughter, now grown and married, first to meet him at the cottage.

• Alonzo

  Solomon's son, absent in the western part of the state, had been trying to purchase his father's freedom.

• Bass

  Mentioned as the one whose letter revealed Solomon's location to his family.

Key passages

• “I took pains to seek him out, to confront him in a court of law, charging him with the crime of kidnapping; and the only motive that impelled me to this step, was a burning sense of the wrong he had inflicted upon me, and a desire to bring him to justice.”

  I deliberately sought out Burch to charge him with kidnapping, driven by a deep sense of the injustice he had done to me and a wish to see him punished.

  Solomon explains his motivation for prosecuting Burch despite the risks.

• “My heart overflowed with happiness as I looked around upon old familiar scenes, and found myself in the midst of friends of other days.”

  I was overwhelmed with joy seeing the familiar places and friends from my past.

  Solomon describes his emotional return to Sandy Hill.

• “This is no fiction, no exaggeration. If I have failed in anything, it has been in presenting to the reader too prominently the bright side of the picture.”

  This account is entirely true and not overstated; if anything, I have downplayed the horrors of slavery.

  Solomon asserts the veracity of his narrative.