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Uncle Tom's Cabin Literary Analysis

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What helps you through the hardships that arise in your life? In Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the clash of slavery and Christian values is the most prominent message in the book. The novel follows the journeys of the main characters and how they coped with their struggles by having faith in God and were tested to see if they would give up on Him. The story portrays what life was like for slaves in the mid-1800’s and expose the evils of slavery even in its best-case scenarios. Stowe wanted to persuade her readers, specifically Northerners, that slavery was unchristian, evil and intolerable in a civil society. Stowe believed that the role of religion would be significant in abolishing slavery. She uses literary devices such as …show more content…

Eva symbolizes purity in humanity and that everyone is equal regardless of race. Since she is morally perfect, she has a sense of Jesus and that her death resembled salvation for others. This is the same for Tom who was beaten to death. But later results in the freedom of the slaves on the Shelby plantation. Stowe writes Christian-like sacrifice and death motifs to represent her message about Christian values while using models of moral perfection. Another example she uses is that all of the women in the novel drive the importance of Christian values. For instance, Mrs. Bird argues with her husband about voting for the Fugitive Slave Act where it is illegal in the U.S. to help or assist runaway slaves. She says, “. . . I don’t know anything about politics, but I can read my Bible; and there I see that I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate.” This represents that her faith in God is strong and she is willing to go against her husband and the law to help other regardless that they are runaway slaves or not. Also motherly affection is related to Christian values of love such as Eliza’s leap which shows selflessness and benevolence passion to protect her

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633 Words | 3 Pages

He suffered mental and physical brutality throughout the slaveholder process. Tom was dedicated to his Christianity beliefs. He also led to his other slave friend known as Cassy to the Christianity beliefs. Through the word of God, Tom convinced Cassy to escape, which ended up leading Tom to his own brutal death. Stowe made Christianity the focus of the slave’s lives.

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445 Words | 2 Pages

1) Uncle Tom is a very heroic and courageous man. He always prays to God and finds a way to keep his faith. As the novel goes on, the cruel treatment that Tom suffers makes him question his belief in a God, but Tom keeps holding on to his faith. 2) Uncle Tom represents all the African Americans that were forced to be slaves. Uncle Tom was meant to be a generalization, of how poorly the slaves were treated.

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630 Words | 3 Pages

Miss Maudie gives an explanation of how the mockingbird is innocent, because it does nothing but benefit others. By listing the ways the mockingbird benefits others and saying it does nothing wrong, Lee, through the character of Miss Maudie, explains the symbol of the mockingbird: someone or something that does not harm others,

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526 Words | 3 Pages

In document C, the white men criticize Stowe’s book, and explain the errors and flaws of the book. In document H, the positive book reviews of the northern men show how they agree with Stowe’s views of anti-slavery.

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476 Words | 2 Pages

This passage encapsulates the novel's central theme of empathy, compassion, and the importance of preserving innocence. Through the symbol of the mockingbird, Lee conveys a powerful message that resonates with readers, urging them to recognize and protect the vulnerable and innocent members of society. The passage's beauty lies in its simplicity and poetic imagery. By comparing mockingbirds to innocent beings that bring joy through their songs and do no harm, Lee emphasizes their purity and their inherent goodness.

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932 Words | 4 Pages

In conclusion, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin played a vital role in igniting the fire among the people to start the Civil

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1515 Words | 7 Pages

Uncle Tom’s Cabin shows the audience how much she was against the ownership of slaves. She wrote the book to inform people about the terrible acts that were occurring in front of them, but many did not realize how bad it was or did not care at all. She felt that slaves were humans with the right to live life in peace not oppressed. She wanted the reader to know that mistreating slaves did not make them better workers but worse ones because they were suffering.

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585 Words | 3 Pages

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 could hardly be enforced by any of Stowe’s readers. Readers became even more aware of the horrors of slavery on a far more personal level. Stowe hoped that readers would rise up if they understood the beatings, the rapes, and the division of families that often occurred. For Northerners, Uncle Tom’s Cabin produced a sense of responsibility, especially for those who had been hesitant watchers to the idea of slavery. This book shaped the political scene by making the North, even more hostile to anti-slavery reform, farther more than they ever had

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1071 Words | 5 Pages

The novel was successful in pushing the country further toward abolishing slavery, through showing the hypocrisy of a “Christian” country, with Christianity. Using this progressive form of Christianity into a religion of resistance, against the status quo at the time(lecture1). When the novel was released in 1852, the country already split between the southern slave states and the free states of the north. What Harriet Beecher Stowe did was bring the hypocrisy and horrors of slavery into the living rooms of the white northern citizens and all across the nation. Many other works argued the same issues as her, while others argued against her point on where Christianity stood on slavery.

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1715 Words | 7 Pages

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Societal Standards “He had been able to repress every disrespectful word; but the flashing eye, the gloomy and troubled brow, were part of a natural language that could not be repressed,-indubitable signs which showed too plainly that the man could not become a thing” (Stowe 9). In 1852, when Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published slavery was in full swing and the dehumanization of African Americans was a daily occurrence. The book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe presents a powerful case against the institution of slavery through the strategic use of moving anecdotes. The author strongly highlights the injustices of slavery and prejudice by offsetting it with the equally powerful effects religion produces in both African

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1342 Words | 6 Pages

Some people were very supportive of the book whereas others did not bother to read it. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one of the most influential novels in American history and especially around the Civil War time period. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the abolitionist novel in hopes of creating national discussion. Stowe prompted a debate about change that was centered on the social movement of abolitionism. Her book raised awareness among abolitionists and northerners who had never interacted with African Americans or had never experienced slavery first hand.

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948 Words | 4 Pages

Many people felt sympathy for the book’s main character named Uncle Tom. It was the second best-selling novel of the nineteenth century next to the Bible. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is taught in colleges around the world (Tackach). It has been translated into 20 languages, and more than three million copies were sold around the world (“Harriet Beecher Stowe Changed History”). Most libraries in America have this amazing book on its shelf (Tackach).

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690 Words | 3 Pages

Again, the main theme of religious combat to fight slavery is used to further reinforce the idea of abolition. Stowe also uses a character by the name of Legree to portray the morally corrupt non-religious being. His presence in the story highlights the evil and ungodliness of slavery. Tom’s Christ like characteristics are shown throughout the story; In one instance, he states that he will not leave until his family is free. Tom sacrifices his life and is ultimately whipped to death by his late master Legree.

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187 Words | 1 Pages

Tom Robinson stands accused of rape when he is actually innocent. The town commits a terrible sin by finding him guilty and sentencing him to death. Just like how Miss Maudie explained – mockingbirds sing beautifully and live peacefully without causing anyone any harm. Race One of the major themes in the novel is racism.

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1306 Words | 6 Pages

Have you ever thought it was you against the world? Out of control? No purpose? This is nothing compared to the force and horror the African slaves in both Ghana and America felt. Gyasi’s characters James, Abena, and Ness were forced and manipulated into situations they never intended to be in.

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