Claim #1: Ch 1-14 In chapter five, Eliza discovers her son, Harry, has been sold to a slave trader when eavesdropping on her master, Mr. Shelby's, conversation. Immediately, Eliza knows she must escape with him and find her husband, who also has attempted the journey to Canada. The author of the novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe, describes Eliza's deep pathological response, claiming that "in such straits as these, the heart has no tears to give, it drops only blood, bleeding itself away in silence” (87). As a mother and a slave, this is Eliza's worst nightmare come true; her son has unexpectedly been torn from her side without her consent. Instead of sitting down and crying about it, Eliza took action to escape the bonds of the slave system and avoid losing Harry. Stowe's claim also applies to many difficult situations in our personal life, world history, and modern society. Devastating events such as the Syrian War, the Holocaust, and the Armenian Genocide have led many world groups to take action and risk their lives in order to escape persecution. Similarly, slaves like Eliza during the time period that Uncle Tom's Cabin was written in would jeopardize their own lives in order to reach freedom instead of feeling sorry for themselves.
Reply #5 I can’t imagine the pain felt by a mother if her child was basically stolen from her! It truly is heartbreaking, even just trying to imagine it. When you mentioned the quote “bleeding itself away in silence” (87), it also appeals to the reader through diction and pathos. In a way, the reader can imagine the pain with this simple analogy, and the connotation behind the words “bleeding” and “silence” only fortify the hidden understandings. Very well done, Mo!
Reply #5 Having a child stolen would be horrifying. Every time there is a kidnapping story on the news I always feel terrible for the parents who are suffering not knowing where their child is. Today however, if a child is kidnapped there would be law enforcement searching for the child but because slaves were considered property with no emotions and "no tears to give" ripping their children away from them didn't even matter and no one would search for the child. There was another instance of a child being stolen from the mother in chapter 12 when Mr. Haley sells a son and when the mother lays the child in a cradle and goes to the side of the boat hoping to catch sight of her husband. That night the woman commits suicide by jumping overboard which isn't surprising because she is separated from her husband who she doesn't know if she'll ever see again and then her son is stole. The appalling thing is that Haley wasn't even shocked but upset that he’d lost money. Haley only saw that slaves as money makers not as for the people they truly were.
After Miss Ophelia has given up on Topsy, Evangeline signals Topsy to come to her, they discuss why she cannot behave. Topsy has grown up without parents to protect her from the horrors her life was destined to be based on, to accepting her situation as it it, rather than knowing how to fight for it. Topsy claims that if she had “come white,” she would “try then” (409). Even Miss Ophelia had admitted that the child was “good-natured and liberal, and only spiteful in self-defense” (370), probably having no expectations of others, because she didn’t want to be disappointed. Miss Ophelia must learn that in order to change another individual’s point of view, she must give Topsy a new experience.
Reply #3 Great post Sofia! I agree that Harriet Beecher Stowe is claiming that white people, even if they do not own slaves, have a responsibility to African American slaves. That it is not only an issue of white southerners being racist but of all white people being racist and Stowe is claiming that Northern white people are not more ethical that southerners if they do not believe that African Americans should be treated as equals.
Reply #6 Apparently white people made a lot of claims like White Man's Burden & Manifest Destiny. Now Ophelia is claiming it's a white's duty to have responsibility to African American slaves; to educate them and protect them. But the very people that the slaves need protecting from are their masters and the reason they don't have education is because their master's won't educate them. It shouldn't white man's duty to educate and protect the slaves because if they were free they should already have access to these 'rights'. Stowe is claiming that it is a Christian's duty to abolish slavery so that slaves can be people not property, so that slaves can have the same rights as their white masters.
Comment #7 Yes Natalie, exactly!!! I was so frustrated reading about Miss Ophelia's views. Although she is a benevolent person with good intentions, and I do respect that she does not wholeheartedly support slavery, I do not agree with her belief that it is a white's duty to educate and protect slaves. In fact, I believe that the white's don't even have to have a responsibility to the slaves except that they have the obligation to make the moral decision to set them free. No person should ever be considered property and be at the will of another person, but should have the right to make their own decisions and make a life for themselves. Until white's grant freedom and full citizenship to blacks, the "Christian duty" will not be fulfilled.
Claims #3: Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849. However, rather than remaining in the safety of the North, Tubman made it her mission to rescue her family and others living in slavery. Tubman earned the nickname “Moses” for her leadership and over time, she was able to guide her parents, several siblings and about 60 others to freedom. But Tubman ran into a problem in 1850 when the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. This law stated that escaped slaves could be captured in the North and returned to slavery, leading to the abduction of former slaves and free blacks living in Free States. Law enforcement officials in the North were compelled to aid in the capture of slaves, regardless of their personal principles. In response to the law, Tubman re-routed the Underground Railroad to Canada, which prohibited slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin reinforces Stowe’s stand on abolition as she exposes the cruelty of slavery in the South to the North. In slavery, slaves lived in constant fear of being beaten, killed, sold, and separated from their families. Slaves weren’t people but property and masters and traders didn’t believe slaves felt any emotion. To a white man a slaves purpose was to serve them. By using George, Eliza, and Harry, Stowe depicts various situations where the slaves live in fear for their lives. The Harris’ journey began when George ran away from a cruel master and Eliza ran with Harry who was sold to Mr. Haley. Stowe claims that while living as a slave was dangerous, escaping could be just as - if not more dangerous. George, Eliza, and Harry’s story shows the hardships slaves endure while escaping to their freedom. However, this family risked their lives because they knew if they made it to Canada then their lives would be much better. This was the reason Harriet Tubman but her life and freedom at risk every time she helped slaves escape because she knew that despite the danger and beating that might await them if caught, if freedom was achieved their journey’s hardships would have been worth it.
The 54th Massachusetts regiment was a Union troop consisting of all African Americans. African Americans from the South desired to fight against slavery with the Union. The volunteering of African Americans at the same time as the draft of northerners proved the true passion and goodwill of slaves. In chapter 14, when Tom jumps in to save Eva before her father could even notice, the kindness of Tom's soul is displayed. Harriet Beecher Stowe's aim is to condemn slavery, and in doing this she reveals the dignity of slaves. Tom has "the soft, impressible nature of his kindly race" (231). Even though Tom has just been sold by the master that has treated him well, he is still willing to take a risk that has no pay back for him. Tom notices Eva's kind heart, and because of this, he makes a selfless action.
Reply #7 Great Connection Emma. When African Americans volunteered to fight in the Civil War, racists attitudes left many white with low expectations for black troops. However, their performance in battle disproved these expectations. While the black troops may have faced prejudice, and knew the risks of war (one being that if captured they'd be killed) hundreds of African Americans supported the Union. By Stowe revealing the dignity of slaves she is disproving the stereotypes of slaves being untrustworthy and proving that slaves can in fact be trustworthy
Claims #5 Harriet Beecher Stowe makes a very strong claim in the final chapters of Uncle Tom’s Cabin that Tom himself and all other slaves that suffer or die are Christ-like in their martyrdom and that their suffering is not in vain. After Tom’s death George states that, “it was on his grave…that [he] resolved, before God, that [he] would never own another slave,” (617) which proves that it was Tom’s death that changed George’s views on slavery, not all the talking in the world. The sacrifice of his life directly lead to the freedom of all his family and friends back on the Shelby farm which gives hope to African Americans and white abolitionists and forces all Christians to associate Jesus with Tom and all other suffering blacks in America which will lead them to sympathize with the abolition movement.
Claim #1: Ch 1-14
ReplyDeleteIn chapter five, Eliza discovers her son, Harry, has been sold to a slave trader when eavesdropping on her master, Mr. Shelby's, conversation. Immediately, Eliza knows she must escape with him and find her husband, who also has attempted the journey to Canada. The author of the novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe, describes Eliza's deep pathological response, claiming that "in such straits as these, the heart has no tears to give, it drops only blood, bleeding itself away in silence” (87). As a mother and a slave, this is Eliza's worst nightmare come true; her son has unexpectedly been torn from her side without her consent. Instead of sitting down and crying about it, Eliza took action to escape the bonds of the slave system and avoid losing Harry. Stowe's claim also applies to many difficult situations in our personal life, world history, and modern society. Devastating events such as the Syrian War, the Holocaust, and the Armenian Genocide have led many world groups to take action and risk their lives in order to escape persecution. Similarly, slaves like Eliza during the time period that Uncle Tom's Cabin was written in would jeopardize their own lives in order to reach freedom instead of feeling sorry for themselves.
Reply #5
DeleteI can’t imagine the pain felt by a mother if her child was basically stolen from her! It truly is heartbreaking, even just trying to imagine it. When you mentioned the quote “bleeding itself away in silence” (87), it also appeals to the reader through diction and pathos. In a way, the reader can imagine the pain with this simple analogy, and the connotation behind the words “bleeding” and “silence” only fortify the hidden understandings. Very well done, Mo!
Reply #5
DeleteHaving a child stolen would be horrifying. Every time there is a kidnapping story on the news I always feel terrible for the parents who are suffering not knowing where their child is. Today however, if a child is kidnapped there would be law enforcement searching for the child but because slaves were considered property with no emotions and "no tears to give" ripping their children away from them didn't even matter and no one would search for the child. There was another instance of a child being stolen from the mother in chapter 12 when Mr. Haley sells a son and when the mother lays the child in a cradle and goes to the side of the boat hoping to catch sight of her husband. That night the woman commits suicide by jumping overboard which isn't surprising because she is separated from her husband who she doesn't know if she'll ever see again and then her son is stole. The appalling thing is that Haley wasn't even shocked but upset that he’d lost money. Haley only saw that slaves as money makers not as for the people they truly were.
Claims #4 (pgs 405-457)
ReplyDeleteAfter Miss Ophelia has given up on Topsy, Evangeline signals Topsy to come to her, they discuss why she cannot behave. Topsy has grown up without parents to protect her from the horrors her life was destined to be based on, to accepting her situation as it it, rather than knowing how to fight for it. Topsy claims that if she had “come white,” she would “try then” (409). Even Miss Ophelia had admitted that the child was “good-natured and liberal, and only spiteful in self-defense” (370), probably having no expectations of others, because she didn’t want to be disappointed. Miss Ophelia must learn that in order to change another individual’s point of view, she must give Topsy a new experience.
Reply #3
DeleteGreat post Sofia! I agree that Harriet Beecher Stowe is claiming that white people, even if they do not own slaves, have a responsibility to African American slaves. That it is not only an issue of white southerners being racist but of all white people being racist and Stowe is claiming that Northern white people are not more ethical that southerners if they do not believe that African Americans should be treated as equals.
Reply #6
DeleteApparently white people made a lot of claims like White Man's Burden & Manifest Destiny. Now Ophelia is claiming it's a white's duty to have responsibility to African American slaves; to educate them and protect them. But the very people that the slaves need protecting from are their masters and the reason they don't have education is because their master's won't educate them. It shouldn't white man's duty to educate and protect the slaves because if they were free they should already have access to these 'rights'. Stowe is claiming that it is a Christian's duty to abolish slavery so that slaves can be people not property, so that slaves can have the same rights as their white masters.
Comment #7
DeleteYes Natalie, exactly!!!
I was so frustrated reading about Miss Ophelia's views. Although she is a benevolent person with good intentions, and I do respect that she does not wholeheartedly support slavery, I do not agree with her belief that it is a white's duty to educate and protect slaves. In fact, I believe that the white's don't even have to have a responsibility to the slaves except that they have the obligation to make the moral decision to set them free. No person should ever be considered property and be at the will of another person, but should have the right to make their own decisions and make a life for themselves. Until white's grant freedom and full citizenship to blacks, the "Christian duty" will not be fulfilled.
Claims #3:
ReplyDeleteHarriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849. However, rather than remaining in the safety of the North, Tubman made it her mission to rescue her family and others living in slavery. Tubman earned the nickname “Moses” for her leadership and over time, she was able to guide her parents, several siblings and about 60 others to freedom. But Tubman ran into a problem in 1850 when the Fugitive Slave Law was passed. This law stated that escaped slaves could be captured in the North and returned to slavery, leading to the abduction of former slaves and free blacks living in Free States. Law enforcement officials in the North were compelled to aid in the capture of slaves, regardless of their personal principles. In response to the law, Tubman re-routed the Underground Railroad to Canada, which prohibited slavery. Uncle Tom’s Cabin reinforces Stowe’s stand on abolition as she exposes the cruelty of slavery in the South to the North. In slavery, slaves lived in constant fear of being beaten, killed, sold, and separated from their families. Slaves weren’t people but property and masters and traders didn’t believe slaves felt any emotion. To a white man a slaves purpose was to serve them. By using George, Eliza, and Harry, Stowe depicts various situations where the slaves live in fear for their lives. The Harris’ journey began when George ran away from a cruel master and Eliza ran with Harry who was sold to Mr. Haley. Stowe claims that while living as a slave was dangerous, escaping could be just as - if not more dangerous. George, Eliza, and Harry’s story shows the hardships slaves endure while escaping to their freedom. However, this family risked their lives because they knew if they made it to Canada then their lives would be much better. This was the reason Harriet Tubman but her life and freedom at risk every time she helped slaves escape because she knew that despite the danger and beating that might await them if caught, if freedom was achieved their journey’s hardships would have been worth it.
Claim #2
ReplyDeleteThe 54th Massachusetts regiment was a Union troop consisting of all African Americans. African Americans from the South desired to fight against slavery with the Union. The volunteering of African Americans at the same time as the draft of northerners proved the true passion and goodwill of slaves. In chapter 14, when Tom jumps in to save Eva before her father could even notice, the kindness of Tom's soul is displayed. Harriet Beecher Stowe's aim is to condemn slavery, and in doing this she reveals the dignity of slaves. Tom has "the soft, impressible nature of his kindly race" (231). Even though Tom has just been sold by the master that has treated him well, he is still willing to take a risk that has no pay back for him. Tom notices Eva's kind heart, and because of this, he makes a selfless action.
Reply #7
DeleteGreat Connection Emma. When African Americans volunteered to fight in the Civil War, racists attitudes left many white with low expectations for black troops. However, their performance in battle disproved these expectations. While the black troops may have faced prejudice, and knew the risks of war (one being that if captured they'd be killed) hundreds of African Americans supported the Union. By Stowe revealing the dignity of slaves she is disproving the stereotypes of slaves being untrustworthy and proving that slaves can in fact be trustworthy
Claims #5
ReplyDeleteHarriet Beecher Stowe makes a very strong claim in the final chapters of Uncle Tom’s Cabin that Tom himself and all other slaves that suffer or die are Christ-like in their martyrdom and that their suffering is not in vain. After Tom’s death George states that, “it was on his grave…that [he] resolved, before God, that [he] would never own another slave,” (617) which proves that it was Tom’s death that changed George’s views on slavery, not all the talking in the world. The sacrifice of his life directly lead to the freedom of all his family and friends back on the Shelby farm which gives hope to African Americans and white abolitionists and forces all Christians to associate Jesus with Tom and all other suffering blacks in America which will lead them to sympathize with the abolition movement.