Northup’s narrative offers a first hands evidence of what it was like to be a slave. According to Northup, “there never was a more kind, noble, candid, Christian man than William Ford.” He tells of how On Sundays, Master Ford a slave owner made it a habit to gather his slaves for church service, preached to them and encouraged good moral behaviour. Northup develops an internal moral struggle by finding out that William Ford was a man of unquestioned Christian character. According to Northup “a model master, walking uprightly…. and fortunate was the slave that came to his possession.” The essential question being, how is it possible for a “good” Christian man to participate so profoundly in the corrupted institution of slavery
