Question

read the passage. excerpt from twelve years a slave by solomon northup the pain in my head had subsided in a measure, but i was very faint and weak. i was sitting upon a low bench, made of rough boards, and without coat or hat i was hand - cuffed. around my ankles also were a pair of heavy fetters. one end of a chain was fastened to a large ring in the floor, the other to the fetters on my ankles. i tried in vain to stand upon my feet. waking from such a painful trance, it was some time before i could collect my thoughts. where was i? what was the meaning of these chains? where were brown and hamilton? what had i done to deserve imprisonment in such a dungeon? what inference from the passage implies northups feelings? he is curious about what will happen to him next. he desires to make a better life for himself and his family. he is eager to be reunited with brown and hamilton. he is uncertain about where he is and how he got there.

Explanation:

The passage describes Northup's situation as a slave, chained and in pain. He is reflecting on his circumstances and asking questions about his situation like where he is and why he is imprisoned. There is no indication of eagerness for reunion, desire for a better - life, or curiosity about future events. His uncertainty about his location and situation is evident from his thoughts and questions.

Answer:

He is uncertain about where he is and how he got there.