Mrs. Epps snatched a bottle and throws it to Patsey‘s face. After that, she asked his husband to sell Patsey. However, Epps refused his wife request since Patsey is
his favorite slave. In reference to this context, Epps‘ refusal is functioned to show his unwillingness to comply with his wife‘s request.
b. Indirect Type
1 Negotiating the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Invitation
Indirect type can be functioned to negotiate the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. The refuser expects that the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation can
be fulfilled by other people or at another time. The conversation between Solomon and Patsey is an example of this function. Their conversation occurred in the
middle of the night. That night, Patsey asked Solomon to kill her. Patsey
: How can you not know? I got nocomfort in this life. If I cant
buy mercy from yah, Ill beg it. Solomon
: There are others.
Beg them Datum 26
In reference to this context, Solomon‘s refusal functions to negotiate Patsey‘s request. He suggests Patsey to ask for the other slaves‘ help. By negotiating her
request, Solo mon expects that Patsey‘s request can be performed by the other
slaves. Even though Solomon might not mean his suggestion to be performed by Patsey, his request still indicates that he wants other people to fulfill her request.
2 Avoiding a Conflict or Ending an Argument with the Refusee
The second function of indirect type is to avoid a conflict or end an argument with the refusee. The refuser usually leaves the refusee or does nothing
in avoiding the conflict with the refusee. The example is in the conversation between Solomon and Patsey. Their conversation occurred in the middle of the
night. Patsey woke Solomon because she has a favor for Solomon. She asked Solomon to kill her.
Patsey :
There is God here God is merciful, and He forgive merciful acts. Wont be no hell for you.Do it. Do what I aint got
thestrength ta do myself
Solomon :
says nothing and backs to sleep
Datum 28 Patsey kept asking Solomon to help her even though he has refused her request.
She even told Solomon that God was merciful, so Solomon did not need to be afraid of killing her since there would be no hell for him. In reference to this
context, Solomon does not give a response because he wants to end his argument with Patsey. In relation to the functions of refusals, Solomon‘s refusal is
functioned to avoid a conflict or end an argument with the refusee. He has clearly told Patsey that he does not want to comply with her request, however Patsey
keeps bagging him. He goes back to sleep in order to show Patsey that he wants to end his argument with her and he does not want to comply with her request.
Datum 31 also shows that the characters in 12 Years a Slave perform indirect type in order to avoid a conflict or end an argument. The conversation
occurred between Epps and Solomon. Epps
: Comeback here, boy.
Solomon : still walks toward Mr. Parker
Datum 31 A sheriff came to Epps‘ plantation. He looked for Solomon Northup. Then, he
asked a series of questions to Solomon in order to confirm that he was the right man. However, Epps kept disturbing the process of identity confirmation since he
thought that he has an authority over Solomon. After Solomon‘s identity was
confirmed, Solomon walked toward Mr. Parker who waited in the carriage. Epps asked him to return, but Solomon refused his request. In regard to this context,
Solomon‘s indirect refusal is used to avoid a conflict with Epps. Epps will dislike the fact that he is actually a freeman. Therefore, he ignores Epps‘ request and
keeps walking to Mr. Parker.
3 Demanding Understanding from the Refusee
The third function of indirect type is demanding an understanding from the refusee. The characters usually provide any reason, excuse or explanation in order
to seek the refusee‘s understanding. Demanding understanding lessens the possibility of offending the refusee since the characters ask the refusee to
understand the reason why they cannot comply with the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation.
The function of this function of refusals is in the conversation between Solomon and Pats
ey. Their conversation occurred in Mr. Shaw‘s terrace. Solomon asked Patsey to return to Epps‘ plantation.
Solomon : Patsey, Master wishes you to return. Patsey
: Sabbath day. Is free ta roam.
Datum 17 Solomon went to Mrs. Shaw‘s house in order to look for Patsey. After finding
Patsey, he asked her to return because Epps wanted her to come back. Although Solomon asked Patsey to return, she refused the request.
In reference to this context, Patsey provides an explanation since she demands Solomon‘s understanding of why she does not want to perform his
request. On Sabbath day, all slaves are given a chance to do anything that they want. Therefore, Pasey goes to Mrs. Shaw‘s house.
Another example can be seen in the conversation between Ford and Tibeats. T
heir conversation occurred in Ford‘s work area. Solomon suggested Ford and Tibeats to transport the logs through the river because it was more effective.
However, Tibeats refused Solomon‘s suggestion. Then, Ford asked him to listen to Solomon‘s suggestion first.
Ford :
Let the man finish his piece Tibeats
: Its a scheme. Plenty of engineers have schemed similarly.
The passes are too tight Datum 8
Tibeats still refused Solomon‘s suggestion even though Solomon gave him an explanation that transporting the logs through the river would spend less cost.
Since Tibeats kept interfering Solomon, Ford asked him to listen to Solomon‘s suggestion first. However, he refused Ford‘s request.
In regard to this context, Tibeats demands Ford‘s understanding by stating a reason when refusing Ford‘s request. Tibeats thinks that Solomon deceives them
since plenty of engineers have a similar scheme with Solomon. Furthermore, Tibeats thinks that the river is too tight to be sailed. He wants Ford to understand
why Ford shoul d not accept Solomon‘s suggestion.
Another example is the conversation between Epps and Solomon. Their conversation occurred in Epps‘ plantation. After fetching Patsey, Solomon asked
her to avoid Epps since he was too drunk. When Epps asked Solomon what he has said to Patsey, Solomon said that he said nothing.
Epps : Lie Damned liar Saw you talkin with er. Tell me
Solomon : I cannot speak of what did not occur. Datum 21
Epps kept asking Solomon to tell him what he has said to Patsey. However, Solomon kept refusing his request. In reference to this context, the statement I
cannot speak of what did not occur is an example of stating a belief. Solomon utters the statement in order to refuse Epps‘ request. He says that he cannot say
something which does not occur. By explaining his belief, Solomon intends to
seek Epps‘ understanding that he does not lie.
4 Mocking the Refusee or the Request, Offer, Suggestion, and Invitation
The characters in 12 Years a Slave employ indirect type when they want to mock the refusee or mock the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation. They want
to emphasize that the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation proposed by the refusee is unreasonable or impossible to be performed. The example of mocking
the refusee or the request, offer, suggestion, or invitation can be seen in datum 7. Solomon
: if we use the waterway. Tibeats
: Are you an engineer or a nigger?
Datum 7 The conversation occurred between Solomon and Tibeats. Solomon had an idea to
transport the logs through the river. However, Tibeats refused his suggestion by criticizing him. In reference to this context, Tibeats‘ speaking intonation and body
position indicate that he mocks Solomon. He speaks with a low and serious intonation. Furthermore, he puts his hands
on his hips when he speaks. Tibeats‘ attitude indicates that he is more superior than Solomon‘s. Therefore, he mocks
Solomon who is only a nigger. Solomon is not an engineer, so Tibeats thinks that
Solomon does not have knowledge of transporting the logs through the river. Thus, Fords and Tibeats do not need to accept Solomon‘s suggestion.
The next example is shown in Epps and Mrs. Epps‘ conversation. Mrs. Epps
asked her husband to sell Patsey since she disliked her. However, Epps refused his wife‘s request.
Mrs. Epps :
You will sell the negress Epps
: Sell little Pats?
She pick with more vigor than any other nigger Choose another ta go
Datum 14 In regard to this context, Epps‘ refuses his wife‘s request by mocking her request.
Hence, Epps‘ indirect refusal is functioned to mock his wife. The statement Sell little Pats? is spoken by Epps in a ridiculing intonation. The way he speaks
indicates that he mocks the request. Furthermore, Patsey is his favorite slave because she picks more cotton than other
slaves. Therefore, he mocks his wife‘s request of selling Patsey.
5 Implying the Unfairness of the Request, Offer, Suggestion, or Invitation
Through indirect type, the characters could show that the request, offer, suggestion, or offer is unfair. The next example can be seen in the conversation
between Solomon and Ford. Their conversation occurred in Ford‘s house. Solomon had a conflict with Tibeats. As revenge, Tibeats and his friends hung
Solomon on a tree. Eventually, Ford came to save him. Solomon
: Before I came to you I was a freeman.
Ford :
I am trying to save your life And...I have a debt to be
mindful of. That, now, is to Edwin Epps. He is a hard man. Prides himself on being a nigger breaker. But truthfully I
could find no others who would have you. Youve made a reputation of yourself. Whateveryour circumstances, you are
an exceptional nigger, Platt. I fear no good will come of it.
Datum 13 Solomon told Ford that he was a freeman. He wanted Ford to release him from
slavery. However, Ford was unwilling to comply with his request. He said that he tried to save Solomon from Tibeats.
In reference to this context, the statement I am trying to save your life is stated by Ford in order to show unfairness of the request asked by Solomon. Ford
owes money from bank when he buys Solomon and he still pays the debt if he frees Solomon. Therefore, he transfers Solomon as well as his debt to Epss.
Furthermore, Ford thinks that transferring Solomon to Epps is the best way to help Solomon from Tibeats‘ attack.
c. Adjuncts to Refusals
