Introduction
Uncle Tom’s Cabin illustrates the harsh reality of black slave life and the gravity of racial prejudice. The author focuses on the experiences of enslaved people and how they encountered many struggles, never facing any justice or fair treatment. Moreover, the writer emphasizes the importance of delving deeper into the matter of the slavery system and refuting any stereotypes. With such an approach, the ground-breaking paper remains one of the most influential and thoughtful pieces. Thus, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a potent critique of slavery that contradicts the popular myths of the day, focusing on the humanization of enslaved characters, exposing moral contradictions, and impacting public opinion.
Humanizing Enslaved Characters
The novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a perfect representation of how the enslaved characters are humanized and presented with complex identities, many of whom are sympathetic and dynamic. The author demonstrates such qualities through characters like Uncle Tom, Eliza, and Topsy (Davis and Mihaylova 11). However, not all characters are dynamic, such as Uncle Tom, who is relatively consistent. At the same time, the readers observe the compassion, kindness, and courage of the man.
In one part, Uncle Tom is seen being punished for helping Cassy, a slave for sexual exploitation by Legree. It is mentioned in these words, “Legree, foaming with rage, smote his victim to the ground,” with Uncle Tom being psychologically unbreakable and remaining strong (Stowe 273). The behavior of this man shows his morals and resilience, which challenges the notion that slaves are mere objects and property of white people. In this case, it is evident that the author’s goal was to depict the struggles of slaves and their ability to remain humane at the same time. Through such experiences, Stowe dispels common stereotypes about enslaved individuals and exposes the dignity of many characters.
Exposing Moral Contradictions
The portrayal of slavery in Stowe’s novel can be observed in the author’s constant exposing of moral contractions. In this situation, the writer relies heavily on the juxtaposition of Christian morals and genuine behavior and hypocrisy of slave owners. For example, Augustine St. Clare is a man who rejects the slavery system and believes that it is morally wrong to be involved in it and, at the same time, is in possession of enslaved individuals. In one scene, the man argues that a household without rules is a concerning matter and that it is despicable to have a house “where servants have it all their own way, do what they please, and have what they please” (Stowe 172).
Additionally, St. Clare’s wife, Marie, supports the same vision by claiming that “putting [slaves] on any sort of equality with us, you know, as if we could be compared, why, it’s impossible!” (Stowe 172). In this case, while proclaiming themselves as righteous Christians, the family shows significant levels of hypocrisy. While the religious perspective would condemn violence and hubris, the St. Clares refuse to offer a sense of justice and support to the enslaved people.
Impact on Public Opinion
Finally, Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin has had a dramatic impact on public opinion regarding violence and slavery. The writer focused on the experiences of slaves of various backgrounds, ages, and genders. Besides the challenges encountered by Uncle Tom, the readers observe the struggles of Emmeline and Cassy, two adolescent girls who were sexually exploited by their master.
For example, in one scene, Cassy says to Emmeline: “I say, drink brandy; drink all you can, and it’ll make things come easier” (Stowe 224). Here, the main message of the woman is to illuminate the harsh reality of enslaved women and how, in order to forget their pains, they have to find solace in alcohol. Such emotional storytelling captivates the audience and highlights the origins of the abolitionist movement in the novel.
When the book was first released in 1852, it had a significant influence on American culture and was regarded as compelling proof of the anti-slavery campaign (Ren 15). The novel’s perspective and role have progressively deepened and changed throughout time (Ren 15). Thus, the vivid portrayal of slavery and the atrocities in the book plays a crucial role in understanding the issue.
Conclusion
In summary, an excellent example of how enslaved individuals are given multifaceted identities and humanization—many of whom are appealing and lively—is found in the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Uncle Tom’s actions demonstrate his moral character and fortitude, which refutes the idea that slaves are only white people’s possessions and objects. Moreover, Stowe’s depiction of slavery in the book is evident in the way she consistently calls attention to moral failings. The author here makes extensive use of the contrast between the sincere actions of slave owners and Christian morality and deceit.
Finally, the public’s perception of violence and slavery has drastically changed as a result of Stowe’s book. The author concentrated on the experiences of different backgrounds of slaves. Understanding the problem depends in large part on how realistically the novel depicts slavery and the horrors it entails.
Works Cited
Davis, Tracy C., and Stefka Mihaylova. Uncle Tom’s Cabins: The Transnational History of America’s Most Mutable Book. University of Michigan Press, 2020.
Ren, Ryan. “Racial Discrimination in Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the” Black Lives Matter” Movement.” Pacific International Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, 2023, pp. 15-19. Web.
Stowe, Harriet. Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Applewood Books, 2008.