Uncle Tom's Cabin Dialectical Journal

Even with Eva’s death in the previous chapters of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the end of this book has been more impacting than any chapters so far. The treatment of slaves, and yet the kind and Christian actions of Tom, have touched me. I am grateful for this book and the truths about my own country that it has revealed to me. At first, we see Tom with his new slaveholder, Legree, who proves himself to be a cruel and unforgiving man towards his slaves. Tom and Emmeline are taken back to his home, where even the slaves are mean to one another. Tom’s faith begins to falter, but he sees a vision of Eva, which puts him back into the holy mindset. One day, Tom sees a slave woman struggling with her work and decided to help. The two slave overseers report back to Legree, who then instructs Tom to whip the woman. Tom

Since Legree can not take out his anger on the women, he settles for Tom instead, demanding Tom knows where they are. Tom says he would rather die than give up the information, and after hesitation, Legree beats Tom all night. Legree then gives the job over to his overseers, where even through pain, Tom tells them of Jesus, saving them. In Tom’s last moments alive, he is visited by his old friend George Shelby. George then threatens and hits Legree, pledging to do all he can to try to abolish slavery. As a woman of Christian faith, this part of the book truly hit hard. Tom is so kind and obedient until his very own brutal death, which is something I doubt I could do if placed in the same situation. He strays and doubts his faith at times, but he always come back with even stronger faith than before. He is pushed to his very breaking point, but still keeps his Christian morals, which inspired and touched me spiritually. This also showed me just how admirable and deserving slaves can be, especially when Tom has proved to be a better Christian than most, if anyone, I know