Uncle Tom's Cabin, By Harriet Beecher Stowe
Throughout the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the role of faith is repeatedly portrayed in many of the main characters lives. It is often the crucial turning point for the characters’ lives, beliefs and morale during the course of the plot. “His spirit is, neither degrading stripes, nor blood, nor insults, can make the Christian’s last struggle less than glorious” (Stowe pg. 1182). This line struck a cord with me as it ties together the two fundamental themes of this novel: the obvious struggle of slaves to earn their freedom and the even more difficult task of remaining a morally and ethically devout Christian when nothing in the world gives you reason too. Christianity serves as a beacon of light and redemption for the characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin and it reflects on the struggle of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s generation for freedom to all men regardless of skin color.
Uncle Tom, the main character in the novel, is portrayed as the slave, friend, father, husband, disciple and perhaps most importantly the martyr. Throughout the novel his …show more content…
Uncle Tom’s death greatly impacts his former slave owner’s son, George Shelby. Once Shelby discovers Tom has died he is overcome with grief and tells God he will, “What one man can to drive out the curse of slavery from my land” (Stowe pg. 696). When he returns back and begins to free his slaves he proclaims, “It was on [Uncle Tom’s] grave, my friends, that I resolved, before God, that I would never own another slave,” (Stowe pg. 727). Because Uncle Tom died away from his family, George Shelby also vowed that no one “should ever run the risk of being parted from home and friends, and dying on a lonely plantation, as he died” (Stowe pg. 727). The many changes of heart represent turning points for many characters and major thematic moments Stowe purposefully and artfully created to make her
Uncle Tom, the main character in the novel, is portrayed as the slave, friend, father, husband, disciple and perhaps most importantly the martyr. Throughout the novel his …show more content…
Uncle Tom’s death greatly impacts his former slave owner’s son, George Shelby. Once Shelby discovers Tom has died he is overcome with grief and tells God he will, “What one man can to drive out the curse of slavery from my land” (Stowe pg. 696). When he returns back and begins to free his slaves he proclaims, “It was on [Uncle Tom’s] grave, my friends, that I resolved, before God, that I would never own another slave,” (Stowe pg. 727). Because Uncle Tom died away from his family, George Shelby also vowed that no one “should ever run the risk of being parted from home and friends, and dying on a lonely plantation, as he died” (Stowe pg. 727). The many changes of heart represent turning points for many characters and major thematic moments Stowe purposefully and artfully created to make her