Uncle Tom's Cabin Societal Standards

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

Many were ignorant to the harsh truths which came with slavery; beginning with the common thought amongst slaveholders that their slaves were better off as servants than as free men because they provided for them. If they were to become free they would have less provisions available to them. Master St. Clare questions Tom on this subject, “‘Why, Tom, don’t you think, for your own part, you’ve been better off than to be free?’... ‘Mas’r’s been too good; but, Mas’r I’d rather have poor clothes, poor house, poor everything, and have ‘em mine, than have the best, and have ‘em any man’s else,’” (Stowe 182). Tom’s response to his master’s question disperses any idea that the white men are doing any favors for the slaves. Fancy clothes or a nice bed hardly make up for a life with no freedom. Master St. Clare was a very generous and kind man. Tom feels very attached to the St. Clare family, but he would rather have his freedom than all the riches they could give him. Tom, however, is a much more gentle and pious character than his fellow slave named George. George is more highly educated than Tom and is outraged by his forced servitude. George says to his wife, Eliza, “‘My master! and who made him my master? That’s what I think of -what right has he to me? I’m a man such as he is. I’m a better man than he is. I know more

It is also used to humanize the slaves who are thought of as livestock. By juxtapositioning the morals of the slaves with the very christian slave owners, the author shows that the two races are not so very different and encourages them to show christian generosity and love to their dark skinned counterparts. George says to Eliza, “‘I an’t a Christian like you, Eliza; my heart’s full of bitterness; I can’t trust in God. Why does he let things be so?’ ‘O George, we must have faith. Mistress says that when all things go wrong to us, we must believe that God is doing the very best’” (Stowe 12). The women in the book are typically portrayed as more pious than the men; this is true for either race. Through all their struggles they still find solace and strength through their religion. This is just one example that the slaves, though they face more opposition and hatred, stick firmly to their belief systems that they share with the persons who own them. Most things that can be used for good are also used for evil. The same is true of the Bible. A clergyman decrees, “‘It’s undoubtedly the intention of Providence that the African race should be servants, - kept in low condition’” (Stowe 74). Slave owners used the bible to support their twisted views on the ownership of human beings. In this case it happens to be a clergyman who proceeds to claim that it cannot be