Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe is one of the most important works of literature in the American cannon, influencing both the people of the period it was written as well as modern readers. First published in 1852, the novel gives readers a contemporary account of the evils of slavery without any of the mythology created after the war to water down the evils of the institution. Throughout the events of the book, Tom becomes the property of three masters. The first two, the Mr. Shelby and the St. Clares might be good people, Stowe makes it clear that the institution that they practice is evil and that no amount of politeness or kindness can fully redeem them. Tom’s third master Simon Legree in contrast to Mr. Shelby and the St. Clares is incredibly cruel and demonstrates the full evil and brutality of slavery. Tom’s loving and forgiving nature acts as a contrast to Legree’s inhumanity and thus fully highlights the evils of slavery to the reader. It is also worth noting that almost all of the slaves ate portrayed with many positive aspects that paint that paint them in a positive light without causing them to lose any complexity as characters. Eliza for example exemplifies personal strength and bravery during personal tragedy.
4 thoughts on “Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the evils of slavery”
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I agree with you in that all of the slaves portrayed in the story are portrayed in a positive light. In modern movies it is possible for one to see where there is contention in hierarchy between slaves, but this story shows them all in a positive way, which goes along with the fact that they are unable to defend themselves in the constant flows of life.
I like how you touch on the three different slave masters that Uncle Tom is owned by. St. Clare and Mr. Shelby are better people and have better morals than Legree, who does not really have any morals. In Stowe’s opinion, it does not matter how they treat their slaves, because slavery is wrong and immoral in general. Legree not only is in charge of running a plantation, which is wrong, but he treats his slaves inhumanely as if they are animals.
I agree that Stowe was attacking the institution of slavery rather than just the slave owners who harshly mistreated their slaves. Uncle Tom’s kind and tolerant nature juxtaposed with the brutality of master Simon Legree show how unjust the institution is and how corrupt all slave owners truly were.
The different slave owners Tom encounters show Stowe’s belief that there is no ethical way to participate in the institution of slavery. While Legree treats his slaves with no sympathy and is a ruthless man, St. Clare and Shelby are condemned to not be much better because they contribute to a system that allows men like Legree to mistreat slaves like this. But one question I find particularly interesting regarding moral philosophy is who is worse between St. Clare and Mr. Shelby? Obviously this isn’t touched upon in the novel because I feel it would undermine the message Stowe intended to portray. But, I just wonder personally who you think is worse off in this situation? Is it better to be like Mr. Shelby, participating in something evil, but feeling good enough about your standpoint, being slightly ignorant, or be like St. Clare, actively knowing what you’re doing wrong but not doing anything to change it.