Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is memorable place, a memorable story as well – the author a “little lady” – Harriet Beecher Stove. A novel that created a revolution – the Civil Rights Movement. It’s a moving tale and a must read.
The outlines of the story: Arthur Shelby owing to his debts sells his slave Uncle Tom (including his family) and – But Eliza (another slave of Shelby) overhearing her owners’ plans escapes with her child Harry to North and finds her freedom and is in fact is reunited with her husband. (This is just an outline). Uncle Tom is at first sold to an amiable person called St Clare (he saves his daughter Eva from drowning) – Eva then dies- St Clare is killed – St Clare’s wife sells Uncle Tom to a plantation owner- he is humiliated to death here (during his tenure here he saves Cassy[another slave] and many others to escape to North). Cassy is Eliza’s long lost girl who is reunited; Tom Locker – a hunter slave who is to capture Eliza transforms; Ophelia (St Clare’s cousin) overcomes her prejudice against blacks teaching Topsy- another slave girl; George Shelby (Arthur’s son) frees all slaves in memory of Uncle Tom and his cabin is made almost a holy place – which reminds of Uncle Tom’s sacrifice; the reunited family (Eliza and others) leave to Liberia (African Nation created for Americans) – which is unfortunately strife-torn today.
Slavery in America during those days was prevalent in the South. In the novel we get many shades of life in Louisiana (where Uncle Tom is sold to plantation owner), even the North – Canada- where freedom is experienced (where Eliza and her family escape).The prominent part of Quaker’s Association in eradicating slavery is evidently mentioned in the novel – where Tom Locker’s transformation happen. The opinion change – in favor of North – is suggested in Ophelia’s overcoming her prejudice.
Uncle Tom becomes a Christ figure- he forgives the plantation owner – saves many people and is very tolerant and loving. George Shelby’s honoring freedom of slaves is symbolic of the (going to be) victory of Civil Rights Movement- which Stowe was very confident about. Uncle Tom’s Christian attitude is in sharp juxtaposition to portrayal of Africans as barbaric and uncouth – This is where the novelist triumphs. Their portrayal as humane and sensible is laudable.
A few questions to ponder: Has America really overcome prejudice against them? Is not racism still prevalent in U.S today? What did Katrina – the storm prove?
In memory of Rosa Parks (do you remember her?)
Awaiting your answers...