Audience #1 As a woman, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin partially for women and as an abolitionist, she wrote her novel to persuade slave owners and white Americans that black slaves are humans and should be treated as such. For example, when Haley asks Mr. Shelby if he will sell any of his slaves, Mr. Shelby replies that he will, “think the matter over, and talk with [his] wife,” (49) which was not incredibly common in the mid 19th century. Women were not often included in decision making and Stowe depicts a more healthy and equal marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby in order to make women aware that their opinions should be valued in society and that they can be involved in American political life. In addition, when Eva falls into the ocean Tom goes, “after her in a moment,” (233) which suggests that he does not even think twice about rescuing the child, bringing to light his, and all other slaves, innate human instinct to save another person’s life.
Great connections, Michelle! Throughout the entire novel, Stowe definitely works to persuade the reader that white men and black men are equal. During John and Haley's conversation in Chapter 12, John argues with Haley "Here I am, rejoicing in my heart that I am going home to my wife and child" (202), but they are splitting families apart. John acknowledges that he is a hypocritical sinner, whereas Haley refuses to. Haley's crooked ways and narrowmindedness is a perfect example of the typical slaveowners mentality during the 1800s.
Reply #10 While Stowe is working to persuade the readers white and black men are equal she is also exposing how whites didn't view blacks as equal or even people for that matter. In an earlier chapter when Mr. Haley is convincing Mr. Shelby to sell Harry he says "these critters ain't like white folk" (46) suggesting that blacks don't have feelings. He even has the nerve to say "they get over things" (47) and then urges Shelby to sell Harry when Eliza is out of then house and the reimburse Eliza with materialistic items that could never replace a child. This is another example of Haley's 'crooked ways and narrow-mindedness' that was a common mentality in the 1800s and exposed whites feelings about African Americans.
Audience #2 My parents always yell me for not cleaning my room, and I always think that I have a great excuse in that I'm really busy and there is no time to clean my room! Privileged women in the 1800's, meaning those who had slaves, never had to work a second in their lives if they didn't want to. Stowe tries to assert a different view in this novel, and speak to women and encourage them that it is okay to work. When Miss Ophelia comes to the South, she does the dishes and puts them away. Dinah, the slave, insists that "dat ar an't no way for ladies to do". (315). Miss Ophelia proves her slave wrong and continues working, for the women of the century.
Comment #2: Great example Harper! I agree with your statement, and I also think it is interesting how Stowe portrays Marie, who does not work, in such a negative light. Stowe shows how whiny, incompetent, selfish, and needy she is, which I think also encourages reader to avoid this behavior and be self-sufficient and independent. In contrast, Stowe portrays the slaves as relatively hard workers, which shows that in many categories slaves were equally as competent, if not more competent, than white people, and therefore should be treated equally.
Nice thoughts guys :) I think these are totally right but that Stowe also uses the contrast between Miss Ophelia and Marie to urge men to not keep women out of the work force and to let them become full fledged members of society. Stowe has proved that women, like Miss Ophelia, can work just as hard as, if not harder than, men and that wives like Marie are undesirable.
Comment #9 Yes Michelle, exactly! I think Uncle Tom's Cabin may have even had an impact on women's role in the Civil War. During the War, some women joined their husbands at war camps to cook and clean, while others stayed home and did their husbands jobs, and some even became war spies. Perhaps reading Uncle Tom's Cabin inspired women to embrace their intelligence and recognize their competency that they could bring to the work force. Eventually, I think this seed planted by Stowe eventually blossomed into the feminist movement, where women realized that they should have the same rights as men since they are equally, if not more, capable.
Audience #3 I find reading about different traditions and communities around the world fascinating, whether it be about the history or modern day. This novel actually does inform the reader about the living situation, communities, and traditions of the characters. There are “two extremes of society… The fair, high-bred child… and her black, keen, subtle, cringing, yet acute neighbor” (359), which enlightens the reader with the societal oppositions and their respective upbringings. Additionally, Stowe includes the representation of their races, imposing that “the Saxon” was “born of ages of cultivation, command, education, physical and moral eminence” while “the Afric [was] born of ages of oppression, submission, ignorance, toil and vice” (362). Along with this, we can get an idea of the slavery and their lives, as they serve and work for their owners.
Comment #5 Good idea Kat, I hadn't thought of this. The idea that this book was made for pro slavery advocates had always been stuck in my mind, but this is so true! This novel also serves the purpose to inspire enslaved peoples, that even in the darkest of times, when your owner is beating you, it will get better. Even as Uncle Tom was dying, his humble nature allowed him to forgive Simon Legree. No, this book is intended for all audiences, as you said, not just pro slavery advocates, whom abolitionist were hoping would change their minds.
Audience #4 Sometimes, the things someone says and does can reach a far greater audience that they originally intended. Many teenagers see this with gossip that can spread around like a wildfire, and all of America heard Donald Trump insulting and degrading women from his interview with Billy Bush. Similarly, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this novel for the purpose of informing her readers what the lives of Southern slaves were really like. Often, Southerners argued that slaves "would never rise to do much among [whites]" and they do not know "how to use their freedom" when asked about slavery (452). Before the release of Uncle Tom's Cabin, most Northerners had never seen an African American, and they certainly did not know what life was like as a slave, so they took a Southerner's word for granted. However, after the novel was published in 1852, Northerners were exposed to the horrors of slavery, joining the abolition movement. However, Uncle Tom's Cabin did not only inform Americans in the North, but also Europeans; Stowe reached a much larger audience than she may have anticipated. Most countries in Europe abolished slavery by the 1810s and most citizens did not support slavery. Once the Civil War came around and Lincoln declared Emancipation, the war became about slavery, and Europeans could no longer support the Southerners after reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. Overall, the spread of Uncle Tom's Cabin had a negative outcome for the South since the world saw through their flimsy argument that slaves have a great life.
Your first sentence is it, Mo! Throughout the Church, Christians seek answers to every one of their questions, in fact, many are not satisfied without one. The Catholic denomination is the only one that hold the truth that Eucharist is truly the body and blood of Jesus. Now when I first heard this, I was in disbelief. The Church backs up every single one of their truths with evidence from the Bible. In most cases, the question, why?, needs to be answered in order for people to condone or condemn a cause. Rather than just simply exposing the horrors of slavery and informing northerners about the inhumane institution, Stowe spread compassion for the slaves. In my opinion, displaying slaves as caring, sensitive, HUMAN creatures was the most important part of Stowe's refute against slavery.
I am very surprised that Harriet Beecher Stowe's Christian audience has yet to be mentioned! Stowe's novel almost serves as a sermon to her Christian audience, using love as her weapon of choice. By using love as a weapon, Stowe is able to condone the actual institution of slavery, while at the same time promoting equality. When Eva is dying, she tells Tom "I would be glad to die, if my dying could stop all of this misery." (401) Eva wishes that her life being taken away could save the slaves. Eva's love for humanity alludes to Jesus dying for the original sin of humans in the Bible. Throughout the novel, Christian values are discussed and displayed. At the time it was written, the novel had a large affect on Christians. With the help of Stowe, Christians were able to condemn the institution of slavery with the evidence found in the Bible.
Audience #1
ReplyDeleteAs a woman, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin partially for women and as an abolitionist, she wrote her novel to persuade slave owners and white Americans that black slaves are humans and should be treated as such. For example, when Haley asks Mr. Shelby if he will sell any of his slaves, Mr. Shelby replies that he will, “think the matter over, and talk with [his] wife,” (49) which was not incredibly common in the mid 19th century. Women were not often included in decision making and Stowe depicts a more healthy and equal marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shelby in order to make women aware that their opinions should be valued in society and that they can be involved in American political life. In addition, when Eva falls into the ocean Tom goes, “after her in a moment,” (233) which suggests that he does not even think twice about rescuing the child, bringing to light his, and all other slaves, innate human instinct to save another person’s life.
Great connections, Michelle! Throughout the entire novel, Stowe definitely works to persuade the reader that white men and black men are equal. During John and Haley's conversation in Chapter 12, John argues with Haley "Here I am, rejoicing in my heart that I am going home to my wife and child" (202), but they are splitting families apart. John acknowledges that he is a hypocritical sinner, whereas Haley refuses to. Haley's crooked ways and narrowmindedness is a perfect example of the typical slaveowners mentality during the 1800s.
DeleteReply #10
DeleteWhile Stowe is working to persuade the readers white and black men are equal she is also exposing how whites didn't view blacks as equal or even people for that matter. In an earlier chapter when Mr. Haley is convincing Mr. Shelby to sell Harry he says "these critters ain't like white folk" (46) suggesting that blacks don't have feelings. He even has the nerve to say "they get over things" (47) and then urges Shelby to sell Harry when Eliza is out of then house and the reimburse Eliza with materialistic items that could never replace a child. This is another example of Haley's 'crooked ways and narrow-mindedness' that was a common mentality in the 1800s and exposed whites feelings about African Americans.
Audience #2
ReplyDeleteMy parents always yell me for not cleaning my room, and I always think that I have a great excuse in that I'm really busy and there is no time to clean my room! Privileged women in the 1800's, meaning those who had slaves, never had to work a second in their lives if they didn't want to. Stowe tries to assert a different view in this novel, and speak to women and encourage them that it is okay to work. When Miss Ophelia comes to the South, she does the dishes and puts them away. Dinah, the slave, insists that "dat ar an't no way for ladies to do". (315). Miss Ophelia proves her slave wrong and continues working, for the women of the century.
Comment #2:
DeleteGreat example Harper!
I agree with your statement, and I also think it is interesting how Stowe portrays Marie, who does not work, in such a negative light. Stowe shows how whiny, incompetent, selfish, and needy she is, which I think also encourages reader to avoid this behavior and be self-sufficient and independent. In contrast, Stowe portrays the slaves as relatively hard workers, which shows that in many categories slaves were equally as competent, if not more competent, than white people, and therefore should be treated equally.
Nice thoughts guys :) I think these are totally right but that Stowe also uses the contrast between Miss Ophelia and Marie to urge men to not keep women out of the work force and to let them become full fledged members of society. Stowe has proved that women, like Miss Ophelia, can work just as hard as, if not harder than, men and that wives like Marie are undesirable.
DeleteComment #9
DeleteYes Michelle, exactly! I think Uncle Tom's Cabin may have even had an impact on women's role in the Civil War. During the War, some women joined their husbands at war camps to cook and clean, while others stayed home and did their husbands jobs, and some even became war spies. Perhaps reading Uncle Tom's Cabin inspired women to embrace their intelligence and recognize their competency that they could bring to the work force. Eventually, I think this seed planted by Stowe eventually blossomed into the feminist movement, where women realized that they should have the same rights as men since they are equally, if not more, capable.
Audience #3
ReplyDeleteI find reading about different traditions and communities around the world fascinating, whether it be about the history or modern day. This novel actually does inform the reader about the living situation, communities, and traditions of the characters. There are “two extremes of society… The fair, high-bred child… and her black, keen, subtle, cringing, yet acute neighbor” (359), which enlightens the reader with the societal oppositions and their respective upbringings. Additionally, Stowe includes the representation of their races, imposing that “the Saxon” was “born of ages of cultivation, command, education, physical and moral eminence” while “the Afric [was] born of ages of oppression, submission, ignorance, toil and vice” (362). Along with this, we can get an idea of the slavery and their lives, as they serve and work for their owners.
Comment #5
DeleteGood idea Kat, I hadn't thought of this. The idea that this book was made for pro slavery advocates had always been stuck in my mind, but this is so true! This novel also serves the purpose to inspire enslaved peoples, that even in the darkest of times, when your owner is beating you, it will get better. Even as Uncle Tom was dying, his humble nature allowed him to forgive Simon Legree. No, this book is intended for all audiences, as you said, not just pro slavery advocates, whom abolitionist were hoping would change their minds.
Audience #4
ReplyDeleteSometimes, the things someone says and does can reach a far greater audience that they originally intended. Many teenagers see this with gossip that can spread around like a wildfire, and all of America heard Donald Trump insulting and degrading women from his interview with Billy Bush. Similarly, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this novel for the purpose of informing her readers what the lives of Southern slaves were really like. Often, Southerners argued that slaves "would never rise to do much among [whites]" and they do not know "how to use their freedom" when asked about slavery (452). Before the release of Uncle Tom's Cabin, most Northerners had never seen an African American, and they certainly did not know what life was like as a slave, so they took a Southerner's word for granted. However, after the novel was published in 1852, Northerners were exposed to the horrors of slavery, joining the abolition movement. However, Uncle Tom's Cabin did not only inform Americans in the North, but also Europeans; Stowe reached a much larger audience than she may have anticipated. Most countries in Europe abolished slavery by the 1810s and most citizens did not support slavery. Once the Civil War came around and Lincoln declared Emancipation, the war became about slavery, and Europeans could no longer support the Southerners after reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. Overall, the spread of Uncle Tom's Cabin had a negative outcome for the South since the world saw through their flimsy argument that slaves have a great life.
Comment #8
ReplyDeleteYour first sentence is it, Mo! Throughout the Church, Christians seek answers to every one of their questions, in fact, many are not satisfied without one. The Catholic denomination is the only one that hold the truth that Eucharist is truly the body and blood of Jesus. Now when I first heard this, I was in disbelief. The Church backs up every single one of their truths with evidence from the Bible. In most cases, the question, why?, needs to be answered in order for people to condone or condemn a cause. Rather than just simply exposing the horrors of slavery and informing northerners about the inhumane institution, Stowe spread compassion for the slaves. In my opinion, displaying slaves as caring, sensitive, HUMAN creatures was the most important part of Stowe's refute against slavery.
Audience #5
ReplyDeleteI am very surprised that Harriet Beecher Stowe's Christian audience has yet to be mentioned! Stowe's novel almost serves as a sermon to her Christian audience, using love as her weapon of choice. By using love as a weapon, Stowe is able to condone the actual institution of slavery, while at the same time promoting equality. When Eva is dying, she tells Tom "I would be glad to die, if my dying could stop all of this misery." (401) Eva wishes that her life being taken away could save the slaves. Eva's love for humanity alludes to Jesus dying for the original sin of humans in the Bible. Throughout the novel, Christian values are discussed and displayed. At the time it was written, the novel had a large affect on Christians. With the help of Stowe, Christians were able to condemn the institution of slavery with the evidence found in the Bible.