Gender dramatically shapes the experiences of the
slaves in the film. For example a female slave in the film had a much harder
time than the male slaves. As shown clearly with Patsey, because she was a
female Edwin Epps raped her numerous times. Females in the movie were put into a
position where they were vulnerable from all sides to attack. Usually women
like Patsey were separated from their family and brought onto a plantation such
as Edwin Epps and they were raped brutally on a routine basis. From a different
viewpoint though female slaves did have somewhat of an upper hand over the Men,
Because women were sexual objects to their owners they were out a little closer
to their hearts, and thus less likely to be sold. A slave owner like one in the
film, Edwin Epps would have to think hard about selling Patsey because he had
sexual relations with her and thus she was somewhat emotionally involved with
him. While on the other hand a male slave such as Solomon Northrup was treated
as just a piece of property since he really held no emotional worth in the eyes
of his owner Edwin Epps. Also female slaves in the film were not given as much
freedom as the male slaves and were on a much smaller leash. For example when
Patsey went to another slave owner’s plantation to acquire some soap she was
treated very badly when she came back, because Edwin Epps was very protective
of her and did not want her running off and having sexual relations with other
men.
Patsey and Mr. Epps and Solomon Northrup
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