Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a book published
in 1852 to show the actual reality of slavery. It is seen as one of the books
that lay the groundwork for civil war and fueled the abolitionist cause in the
1850s. The book became the best seller in the 19th century due to its emotional
nature and ability to show the true nature of slavery while showcasing that
Christian love can overcome the destructive nature of human enslavement. The novel revolves around the story of an
African- American slave, Uncle Tom together with other characters. The book and
plays it inspired are known to popularize stereotypes that people have carried
for years.
The writer, Harriet Beecher Stowe, is a
teacher from Connecticut who wrote the novel in response to the 1850 passage
Fugitive Slave Act. Stowe is known for being deeply religious and substantially
involved in the feminist movement. This is depicted in her book as she portrays
women as being equal to men in spiritual strength, bravery, and intelligence.
Stowe lived in Cincinnati, and this gave her a view of both sides of slavery as
Cincinnati was split against and for slavery. She also did extensive research
on slavery with the help of her black servants.
Her aim for writing the book was to
convince people to end slavery. It was also a reaction to the Fugitive Slave
Act that made it unlawful to lend a hand to fugitive slaves. She positions her
views on race on religious through emphasizing the importance of Christian love
in eradicating slavery. The book is
dominated by moral codes followed by women as they provided advice to their
husbands.
The novel starts with Arthur Shelby, a
Kentucky farmer who due to a massive debt is on the verge of losing everything.
He and His wife, Emily Shelby are pushed to sell their slaves, Harry, the son
of Mrs. Shelby maid and Uncle Tom, to Mr. Haley to salvage their situation, but
they are all against it for different reasons. Eliza learns of the sale and
together with his son Harry, they run away to the North to look for
independence with George her husband. Uncle Tom is not fortunate though and is
sold.
The novel follows their journey through
slavery, their various masters and evil of slavery. The different characters
are used to pursue the reader on the evil of slavery, benefits of Christianity
in eradicating slavery. The novel is set in a reasonably mild setting with a
positive relationship between master and slaves like in Shelby’s house and St.
Clares house. The writer showcases this individual as hypocritical as though
they are kind to slaves; they still tolerate it.
The main reason why this novel gained favor from most people, including me is the inclusion of Christianity in its theme. The book is written explicitly for the protestant audience and illustrates the incompatibility nature of slavery and Christianity. The moral codes of Christianity oppose the system of slavery. She depicts Eva as a morally upright white character who fails to understand what different people see between blacks and whites. This story still has relevance until today. The general principle of universal love is not only crucial in the eradication of slavery, but love is the answer to most human conflicts.
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