who are yet living. I am... an entire stranger in Washington and its vicinity.... What I am about to say, if false, can be easily contradicted." Much of the narrative, however, addresses this issue obliquely. Large sections are devoted to descriptions of the manner of raising cotton and cane, of the customs at Christmas celebrations, of the character and relations of quite incidental characters. While these sometimes add color to the narrative or provide context (and are certainly useful to historians), it was the dramatic nature of Northup's experiences that attracted public attention and led to the publishing of Twelve Years A Slave, and these sections do not in any way contribute to that dramatic impact. It seems clear that they are included to prove the truthfulness of Northup's account, supplying facts which can be checked and which he had no way of knowing other than through his experience of kidnaping and slavery....
