Final answer:
In this excerpt from "Twelve Years a Slave," Solomon Northup uses connotative language to emphasize the power imbalance between white people and slaves.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this excerpt from "Twelve Years a Slave," Solomon Northup uses connotative language to highlight the power imbalance between white people and slaves. He describes the white man's ability to enslave the black man as a "grand achievement" and a "mighty load." By using these phrases, Northup emphasizes the immense power that white people hold over slaves and the oppressive nature of slavery.
Furthermore, Northup expresses his own realization of the power dynamics by stating, "It was a new and special revelation, explaining dark and mysterious things." This connotation suggests that the power of white people over slaves is not only visible but also deeply rooted in societal structures and practices.