12 Years a Slave — Movie Quotes

After being kidnapped and put on a ship to the South, a fellow slave, Robert, advises Solomon to do and say as little as possible to survive. Solomon rejects this notion, expressing his profound desire to return to his former life, not just exist in bondage.

This quote, spoken early in his captivity, establishes Solomon's core struggle. It's not enough for him to simply endure the physical hardships of slavery; he wants to reclaim his life, his identity, and his humanity. It differentiates his perspective from that of those born into slavery who may see mere survival as the only attainable goal.

Solomon repeats this or similar phrases several times, most notably to James H. Burch, the slave trader in Washington D.C., who responds by brutally beating him for daring to speak of his freedom.

This is a desperate and defiant assertion of his identity and legal status in the face of those who have stripped him of both. It is a recurring statement that underscores the central injustice of his situation. Each time he says it, he is met with violence, demonstrating that his truth has no power within the system of slavery.

Solomon says this to himself and to Eliza, a fellow slave who is inconsolable after being separated from her children. He tries to impart his philosophy of endurance and hope as a means of surviving the trauma of their situation.

This line serves as Solomon's personal mantra for survival. It reflects his conscious decision to fight against the psychological toll of slavery and to hold onto hope, no matter how bleak his circumstances become. It is a testament to his mental and emotional fortitude.