Analysis of the Uncle Tom’s Cabin

In the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe tries to communicate and convey the atrocities of slavery during the 19th century. Stowe has an abolitionist viewpoint and states that Christianity conflicted with slavery, that the slaves were often brutally abused and mistreated, and that slavery was unconstitutional and opposed the Declaration of Independence.

Stowe demonstrated the horrors of slavery by incorporating the fact that slavery conflicted with Christianity. For example, during an argument between Mrs. Bird who became very sympathetic for slaves, and her husband John, who mostly agreed with slavery.

Mrs. Bird exclaimed that John was wicked to support The Fugitive Slave Act and that it was an unchristian law to prevent slaves from escaping for their freedom and that it is her job according to the bible that she must provide and help care for the slaves (Ch. 9 pg 48). This exemplifies the fact that because of Mrs.Bird’s Christian morals and as stated in the bible, no Christian should ever treat another person poorly. This conflicted with slavery because slaves were constantly being beaten and judged by the whites. Another example that demonstrates that Christianity conflicted with slavery occurred during the conversation between Mrs. Shelby and her husband Mr. Shelby when they were discussing which slaves they were going to sell for auction. Mrs. Shelby passionately described how she has taken care of their slaves much like a guardian, watched their children and family grow up as time passed, and even taught them the valuable responsibilities of a family. She then continued to argue that she never felt that slavery was just, and that she didn’t want to   listen to the ministers preach evil sermons at their church anymore that defended all the wrongs of slavery (Ch. 5 pg 21-22). She believed that no matter what the ministers defended slavery with, slavery was so cruel and inhumane that it contradicted her Christian morality.

In the novel Stowe also conveys the horrors of slavery throughout abuse and extreme conditions slaves often faced. An example of this happened to take place when Augustine St. Clare’s nephew, Henrique and St. Clare’s daughter, Eva decided to go horseback riding. However before they left Henrique noticed that the horse was dirty and  became very upset at his servant named Dodo. He proceeded to whip Dodo across the face as well as beat him until he was out of breath (Ch. 23 pg 158). Another example occurs later on in the novel occured when a slave named Rosa tried on Marie St. Clare’s dress. She was then slapped by Marie, who is very racist and selfish, and before thinking she spoke back to Miss Marie in a rude tone. In response, Rosa was ordered to be sent to the whipping house ran by horrid men, was forced to be topless, and was painfully whipped publicly for all the men to watch.(Ch. 29 pg 191). This whipping did not only damage her physically, but  also mentally, scarring her for life. When Miss Ophelia heard of this she became disgusted with Marie, which showed that even some non-slaves were furious with the way that slaves were being abused. Some slaves were even so badly abused and mistreated that they would rather be dead than alive. An example of this occurs towards the end of the book, when Legree’s sex slave, Cassy is left hopeless after her horrible experiences throughout her life and mentions that many people believe that slaves don’t suffer. However she responds by saying that she has encountered enormous amounts of misery, enough that she has wished that houses would fall on top of her, or even that the stones she walked on would sink under her (Ch. 34 pg 218). Therefore, throughout this novel Stowe uses numerous examples that suggest the idea that slaves were extremely oppressed , and even mentally affected them to the point of considering killing themselves.

Lastly, Stowe uses the concept of the Declaration of Independence to prove the unconstitutionality of slavery. An example of this tends to transpire earlier on in the book when Miss Ophelia and Marie St. Clare begin to conversate over Eva, the St. Clare’s heavenly and pure daughter. This conversation slowly began to escalate when Miss Ophelia asked Marie if she believed that the Lord made slaves of same blood as themselves.To this,  Marie St. Clare replied no with certainty. Then Miss Ophelia asked if she thought slaves had immortal souls. Marie responds very unenthusiastically that slaves do and no one doubted that they didn’t, but declares that it is considered impossible and unrealistic to compare the equality of slaves to those of the whites. Marie then concludes her statement by exclaiming that her feelings for Eva are stronger and more loving than any of the slaves could for their children  (Ch. 16 pg 104). This example shows how the whites considered themselves far more superior than the blacks. Thus, created a problem because it contradicted the main idea Declaration of Independence which stated that all men and women are created as equals. It also denied the Constitution due to the fact that the blacks had no rights or say, when they should be guaranteed their unalienable ones.

In conclusion, in the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe uses multiple  arguments to convey to the readers of the cruelty and horrors of slavery. First, Stowe describes the conflict between Christianity and slavery through the Christian moralities of others. Then, Stowe describes in details the extreme pain and abuse the slaves would endure both physically and mentally. Lastly, Stowe states that slavery was unconstitutional and opposed the Declaration of Independence by demonstrating how the blacks were not equal to the whites and had not rights.

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