--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: one knee, with a groan, I released my…" description: "\"“one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat,”\" — Solomon Northup" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg" --- # one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat, ![“one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat,” quote by Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg) > ““one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat,”” [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A violent act is described with vivid physical detail, emphasizing the brutal reality of oppression. **In simple terms:** Violence is brutally graphic. Key Takeaway Recognize the horror of oppression. Themes violence oppression humanity Mood somber intense Type historical literary When to use this quote - historical context - education - human rights advocacy Key Concepts slavery physical restraint power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How does vivid detail affect empathy? - What responsibilities do storytellers have? A Different Perspective Graphic descriptions can desensitize readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Groan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groan/) [Groan Released](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groan-released-4957995/) [Hold Throat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-throat-4957994/) [Knee Groan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knee-groan-4957993/) [Released Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/released-hold-4957996/) ## Related quotes > [“se there was a matter of half a ream of brown paper stuck upon me, from first to last. As I laid all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/se-there-was-a-matter-of-half-a-ream-of-brown-paper-stuck-upon-me/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [Groan and forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessamyn-west/groan-and-forget-it/) [Jessamyn West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessamyn-west/) > [“I swallowed a frustrated groan. “Is this one of those idiotic clichés where I turn around and see myself in the mirror of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/i-swallowed-a-frustrated-groan-is-this-one-of-those-idiotic-clich-s/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [I had to groan a bit on the couch when my brow was mopped - as it is when you've been shot across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-head/i-had-to-groan-a-bit-on-the-couch-when-my-brow-was-mopped-as-it-is/) [Anthony Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-head/) > [“hung-over groan, the elective malady’s melody.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/hung-over-groan-the-elective-malady-s-melody/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“Galadir called her back against his chest and he clearly heard a groan of the woman. «So let me help you, for once. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiara-cilli/galadir-called-her-back-against-his-chest-and-he-clearly-heard-a/) [Chiara Cilli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiara-cilli/) > [“What?” Ryder huffed. “Come on that was funny! That was comic gold right there.” She shrugged, enjoying teasing him. “It was OK. Kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-ryder-huffed-come-on-that-was-funny-that-was-comic-gold-right/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [And I mean to hear ye groan like that again. And to moan and sob, even though you dinna wish to, for ye canna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/and-i-mean-to-hear-ye-groan-like-that-again-and-to-moan-and-sob-even/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Where are you going?" I asked, as Frank swung his feet off the bed. "I'd hate the dear old thing to be disappointed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/where-are-you-going-i-asked-as-frank-swung-his-feet-off-the-bed-i-d/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Ah, that groan, Alexis. It’s like you are fucking me from a distance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-m-golland/ah-that-groan-alexis-it-s-like-you-are-fucking-me-from-a-distance/) [K.M. Golland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-m-golland/) > [I have no use for the kind of God who goes walking in his garden with a stick, sends his friends to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/i-have-no-use-for-the-kind-of-god-who-goes-walking-in-his-garden-with/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [There is a groan that unites men and women, rich and poor, in any nation. These muscle pains are "explained" in every culture, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-david-wall/there-is-a-groan-that-unites-men-and-women-rich-and-poor-in-any/) [Patrick David Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-david-wall/) > [“No choice but stand. Somehow up and stand. Somehow stand. That or groan. The groan so long on its way. No. No groan. Simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/no-choice-but-stand-somehow-up-and-stand-somehow-stand-that-or-groan/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [“groan again when my brother’s name”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-hart/groan-again-when-my-brother-s-name/) [Emma Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-hart/) > [Even trees do not die without a groan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/even-trees-do-not-die-without-a-groan/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Solomon Northup > [“I had not then learned the measure of “man’s inhumanity to man,” nor to what limitless extent of wickedness he will go for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/i-had-not-then-learned-the-measure-of-man-s-inhumanity-to-man-nor-to/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“adroitly that there was”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/adroitly-that-there-was/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [Unsoundness in a slave, as well as in a horse, detracts materially from his value. If no warranty is given, a close examination is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/unsoundness-in-a-slave-as-well-as-in-a-horse-detracts-materially-from/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“Blessed be sleep! It visiteth all alike, descending as the dews of heaven on the bond and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/blessed-be-sleep-it-visiteth-all-alike-descending-as-the-dews-of/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [I can speak of slavery only so far as it came under my own observation - only so far as I have known and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/i-can-speak-of-slavery-only-so-far-as-it-came-under-my-own/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [I could not comprehend the justice of that law, or that religion, which upholds or recognizes the principle of slavery;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/i-could-not-comprehend-the-justice-of-that-law-or-that-religion-which/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“I don't want to survive, I want to live.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/i-don-t-want-to-survive-i-want-to-live/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“Men may write fictions portraying lowly life as it is, or as it is not—may expatiate with owlish gravity upon the bliss of ignorance—discourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/men-may-write-fictions-portraying-lowly-life-as-it-is-or-as-it-is-not/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [My sufferings I can compare to nothing else than the burning agonies of hell!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/my-sufferings-i-can-compare-to-nothing-else-than-the-burning-agonies/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [My back is thick with scars for protesting my freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/my-back-is-thick-with-scars-for-protesting-my-freedom/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“It is a mistaken opinion that prevails in some quarters that the slave does not understand the term - does not comprehend the idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/it-is-a-mistaken-opinion-that-prevails-in-some-quarters-that-the/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [At such times, the heart of man turns instictively towards his Maker. In prosperity, and whenever there is nothing to injure or make him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/at-such-times-the-heart-of-man-turns-instictively-towards-his-maker/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“let them behold him scourged, hunted, trampled on, and they will come back with another story in their mouths. Let them know the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/let-them-behold-him-scourged-hunted-trampled-on-and-they-will-come/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“On the way, a great many demanded it, read it, and passed on. Those having the air and appearance of gentlemen, whose dress indicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/on-the-way-a-great-many-demanded-it-read-it-and-passed-on-those/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [“case with Cocodrie Bayou, which Solomon must have heard with a starting “p.” Here is a list”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/case-with-cocodrie-bayou-which-solomon-must-have-heard-with-a/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) [Explore all 53 Solomon Northup quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) ## More Groan quotes > [“se there was a matter of half a ream of brown paper stuck upon me, from first to last. As I laid all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/se-there-was-a-matter-of-half-a-ream-of-brown-paper-stuck-upon-me/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“groan again when my brother’s name”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-hart/groan-again-when-my-brother-s-name/) [Emma Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-hart/) > [“No choice but stand. Somehow up and stand. Somehow stand. That or groan. The groan so long on its way. No. No groan. Simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/no-choice-but-stand-somehow-up-and-stand-somehow-stand-that-or-groan/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [There is a groan that unites men and women, rich and poor, in any nation. These muscle pains are "explained" in every culture, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-david-wall/there-is-a-groan-that-unites-men-and-women-rich-and-poor-in-any/) [Patrick David Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-david-wall/) > [I have no use for the kind of God who goes walking in his garden with a stick, sends his friends to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/i-have-no-use-for-the-kind-of-god-who-goes-walking-in-his-garden-with/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [“Ah, that groan, Alexis. It’s like you are fucking me from a distance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-m-golland/ah-that-groan-alexis-it-s-like-you-are-fucking-me-from-a-distance/) [K.M. Golland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-m-golland/) > [“Where are you going?" I asked, as Frank swung his feet off the bed. "I'd hate the dear old thing to be disappointed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/where-are-you-going-i-asked-as-frank-swung-his-feet-off-the-bed-i-d/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [And I mean to hear ye groan like that again. And to moan and sob, even though you dinna wish to, for ye canna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/and-i-mean-to-hear-ye-groan-like-that-again-and-to-moan-and-sob-even/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“What?” Ryder huffed. “Come on that was funny! That was comic gold right there.” She shrugged, enjoying teasing him. “It was OK. Kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/what-ryder-huffed-come-on-that-was-funny-that-was-comic-gold-right/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [“Galadir called her back against his chest and he clearly heard a groan of the woman. «So let me help you, for once. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiara-cilli/galadir-called-her-back-against-his-chest-and-he-clearly-heard-a/) [Chiara Cilli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiara-cilli/) > [“hung-over groan, the elective malady’s melody.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/hung-over-groan-the-elective-malady-s-melody/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I had to groan a bit on the couch when my brow was mopped - as it is when you've been shot across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-head/i-had-to-groan-a-bit-on-the-couch-when-my-brow-was-mopped-as-it-is/) [Anthony Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-head/) > [“I swallowed a frustrated groan. “Is this one of those idiotic clichés where I turn around and see myself in the mirror of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seanan-mcguire/i-swallowed-a-frustrated-groan-is-this-one-of-those-idiotic-clich-s/) [Seanan McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seanan-mcguire/) > [Groan and forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessamyn-west/groan-and-forget-it/) [Jessamyn West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessamyn-west/) > [Even trees do not die without a groan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/even-trees-do-not-die-without-a-groan/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 47 Groan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat,”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Solomon Northup" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold-upon-his-throat/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Groan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold-upon-his-throat/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a3/solomon-northup-12765_quote_one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold_1408680.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“one knee, with a groan, I released my hold upon his throat,” — Solomon Northup", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Solomon Northup", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“one knee, with a groan, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold-upon-his-throat/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/one-knee-with-a-groan-i-released-my-hold-upon-his-throat/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```