Uncle Tom's Cabin Chapter Summary

Uncle Tom’s Cabin The book begins on a Kentucky farm in mid- February with two men discussing a slave-transaction. The two men were a slave-trader- Mr. Haley and a gentleman- Arthur Shelby. Mr. Shelby was currently in debt and offered to sell Mr. Haley one of his best and most loyal of slaves- Uncle Tom. He explains to the slave-trader how he can trust Tom with anything and everything, but Mr. Haley explains he will only make the trade if he is offered another slave. After both men debating, they finally agree on a child named Harry. Harry is the son of Eliza, who is Mrs. Shelby’s slave. Eliza over hears the conversation as she tries to find her son. After retrieving her son, she tries to finish her duties for Mrs. Shelby, but ends up crying because she is afraid of the thought of losing her son. Her owner reassures her that she has no intention of doing so because Eliza means too much to her. Later that evening, Eliza receives a visit from her husband, George Harris. He informs her he will be heading to Canada in a week and will be

Instead of talking Tom sings praises and hymns. The beating continues all night until he orders his to overseers to continue the beating. Sambo and Quimbo take pity on Tom and begin to believe in what Tom preaches. He prays their hearts may be saved. Two days later, George Shelby shows up at the plantation with money to buy back Tom. He finds Tom barely alive. Tom is blessed to be able to be able to be reunited with George. He dies in his arms as a content man. George beats Legree and then leaves with Tom’s body. As he leaves, heartbroken, he promises he will one day abolish slavery. When he returns home he tells Aunt Chloe about Tom and his death. He signs the papers of all the slaves and tells them they are free now, also they are free to stay and work and be paid. He reminds everyone who passes Uncle Tom’s Cabin to remember