Harriet Beecher Stowe uses logos when discussing the relationship between law and morality. Her personal beliefs are presented through George Harris, when he and Mr. Wilson discuss his escape from his slaveholder. George asks “what country have I… what laws are there for us” (185), recognizing that the law does not protect African-Americans. He later asks why he is “not a man, as much as anybody” (185), especially when he has been laboring like an animal. He supports his argument by acknowledging his background. He had a mother who saw all of her seven children “sold before her eyes” (186), and his sister was a pious girl who was whipped and starved, daily. He finally found blessings through having Mr. Wilson as his former slaveholder and through marrying his wife. However, he states that the law will tear that happiness apart, as well. One cannot truly belong to a country, unless it works to protect the individual’s well-being.
Good analysis Sof! I love how Stowe uses true fact to support her fictional story in support of the abolition movement. I found that although she did not mention the exact law that prohibited the protection of blacks ( I later learned that this was the Black Codes that stripped African Americans of rights) This was later fixed by the Reconstruction amendments though (13-15 amendments) She uses these facts as a basis for her argument, along with pathos and ethos, to establish her claim, especially when appealing to an educated reader.
Logos #2 (ch. 15-16) Teachers will often say that they are playing devil’s advocate during classroom discussions so that the students can get different perspectives on topics and hear the other side of arguments. Similarly, Harriet Beecher Stowe uses Miss Ophelia as her devil’s advocate to state what most northerners saw as fact. When Marie and Miss Ophelia are talking about Maire’s slaves Miss Ophelia asks if Marie believes her, “servants are human creatures,” (266) which they obviously are. This use of logos forces the reader to recognize that they are keeping other fellow humans in slavery and reducing them to horrible conditions. Later Miss Ophelia asks if Marie, “think[s] they’ve [slaves] got immortal souls,” (268) which is viewed as fact by Marie and all other Christians. Marie agrees with both of Miss Ophelia’s questions which leads the audience to question how they can still rationalize slavery. Stowe adding logos strengthens her argument for the abolition of slavery because it is almost impossible to argue with fact.
Reply #4 Love the reference to teachers, Michelle! The idea of playing Devil’s advocate is a great way to think of Miss Ophelia. Her understanding might also be suppressed because of her lack of knowledge about slavery, or maybe her Christian side is more prominent and overpowers her thoughts about is all. For example, when Miss Ophelia does argue and discuss slavery, she references Christianity and says that it “obliterates the feeling of personal prejudice” (273). This is all based on her personal beliefs and understanding about the subject.
Reply #5 I have never heard of this "devil's advocate" but it was exciting to learn about! This also seems like the process of elimination: If African Americans are human creatures, and they have a mortal soul, then they are not slaves. Showing this a+b=c scenario guides the reader to believe what Stowe believes. Also, I agree with Kat on the subject of personal beliefs. Many abolitionists backed up their values with religion, particularly Christianity.
Logos #4 Today’s fashion trends, such as off-the-shoulder tops and boyfriend jeans, shape how girls express themselves through clothing. If you were to walk in a mall, you would see a lot of teenagers wearing today’s trends! Similarly, in Stowe’s novel, religion is a “trend” in its own sense. For instance, little Eva talks to her Mamma and says that “[servants] ought to read the Bible”. The way Eva was raised has shaped her mind into thinking like this and shows how important Christianity is to her even if she is very young. She adds on by saying that “the Bible is for every one to read themselves” (385). Although it is not clear why she says this, I suspect that it has to deal with the interpretation. When I read the Bible, it may mean one thing to me, but something completely different to someone else.
There are many stereotypes about single-childs; that they are bossy, spoiled, and have imaginary friends to compensate for their loneliness. Stowe depicts Evangeline as a leader, whom her father goes to, to ask "what is being a Christian" (422) supposed to mean. Evangeline in the new generation; enlightened, happy, philanthropic, and hopeful. Stowe used Evangeline to foreshadow a possible future of the United States, and when she died, she died with a message and legacy. Stowe uses Evangeline's (a white girl's) death to give hope of saving the live of others (African-Americans).
Logos #3 -In Christina Baker Kline’s "Orphan Train”, (i cannot italicize! or underline!), the main character, Vivian, recounts her story of growing up in the foster care system. This is one of my favorite book, in that people of all ages are able to connect to the Vivian’s life (except maybe not the orphan part). In UTC, when St Clare purchases a slave named Topsy for Miss Ophelia, it reminded me of the foster care system, because Miss Ophelia was adamant about raising her as a well behaved girl with religious values. According to St Clare, Miss Ophelia is “always preaching about educating” (353). In previous chapters when we first meet Ophelia, is as very adamant about education and qualities that Northerners had, rather than Southern plantation owners. In such, Stowe attempts to advocate Republican principles, that were not only anti slavery, but pro education and learning. The use of a good character (Ophelia) allows Stowe’s use of Logos to influence the lives of others.
Logos #5 At Mayfield, and the majority of other educational institutions, our classes follow the same pattern: learning then testing. Similarly, in Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe follows the same sort of pattern. From the onset of the novel, Stowe depicts a scene and, after, directly addresses the audience to stress a point. For example, in chapter 38, Legree tries to persuade Tom to desert his Christian beliefs and join his Church in order to become an overseer. After Stowe illustrates Tom's misery, she turns around and directly addresses the reader by stating this universal truth: "When a heavy weight presses the soul to the lowest level...there is a desperate effort...to throw off the weight" (554). Stowe continues the pattern of showing a tough situation and then testing the audience by directly addressing the reader, establishing logos.
Logos #1 (chp. 1-14)
ReplyDeleteHarriet Beecher Stowe uses logos when discussing the relationship between law and morality. Her personal beliefs are presented through George Harris, when he and Mr. Wilson discuss his escape from his slaveholder. George asks “what country have I… what laws are there for us” (185), recognizing that the law does not protect African-Americans. He later asks why he is “not a man, as much as anybody” (185), especially when he has been laboring like an animal. He supports his argument by acknowledging his background. He had a mother who saw all of her seven children “sold before her eyes” (186), and his sister was a pious girl who was whipped and starved, daily. He finally found blessings through having Mr. Wilson as his former slaveholder and through marrying his wife. However, he states that the law will tear that happiness apart, as well. One cannot truly belong to a country, unless it works to protect the individual’s well-being.
Comment #8
DeleteGood analysis Sof! I love how Stowe uses true fact to support her fictional story in support of the abolition movement. I found that although she did not mention the exact law that prohibited the protection of blacks ( I later learned that this was the Black Codes that stripped African Americans of rights) This was later fixed by the Reconstruction amendments though (13-15 amendments) She uses these facts as a basis for her argument, along with pathos and ethos, to establish her claim, especially when appealing to an educated reader.
Logos #2 (ch. 15-16)
ReplyDeleteTeachers will often say that they are playing devil’s advocate during classroom discussions so that the students can get different perspectives on topics and hear the other side of arguments. Similarly, Harriet Beecher Stowe uses Miss Ophelia as her devil’s advocate to state what most northerners saw as fact. When Marie and Miss Ophelia are talking about Maire’s slaves Miss Ophelia asks if Marie believes her, “servants are human creatures,” (266) which they obviously are. This use of logos forces the reader to recognize that they are keeping other fellow humans in slavery and reducing them to horrible conditions. Later Miss Ophelia asks if Marie, “think[s] they’ve [slaves] got immortal souls,” (268) which is viewed as fact by Marie and all other Christians. Marie agrees with both of Miss Ophelia’s questions which leads the audience to question how they can still rationalize slavery. Stowe adding logos strengthens her argument for the abolition of slavery because it is almost impossible to argue with fact.
Reply #4
DeleteLove the reference to teachers, Michelle! The idea of playing Devil’s advocate is a great way to think of Miss Ophelia. Her understanding might also be suppressed because of her lack of knowledge about slavery, or maybe her Christian side is more prominent and overpowers her thoughts about is all. For example, when Miss Ophelia does argue and discuss slavery, she references Christianity and says that it “obliterates the feeling of personal prejudice” (273). This is all based on her personal beliefs and understanding about the subject.
Reply #5
DeleteI have never heard of this "devil's advocate" but it was exciting to learn about! This also seems like the process of elimination: If African Americans are human creatures, and they have a mortal soul, then they are not slaves. Showing this a+b=c scenario guides the reader to believe what Stowe believes. Also, I agree with Kat on the subject of personal beliefs. Many abolitionists backed up their values with religion, particularly Christianity.
Logos #4
ReplyDeleteToday’s fashion trends, such as off-the-shoulder tops and boyfriend jeans, shape how girls express themselves through clothing. If you were to walk in a mall, you would see a lot of teenagers wearing today’s trends! Similarly, in Stowe’s novel, religion is a “trend” in its own sense. For instance, little Eva talks to her Mamma and says that “[servants] ought to read the Bible”. The way Eva was raised has shaped her mind into thinking like this and shows how important Christianity is to her even if she is very young. She adds on by saying that “the Bible is for every one to read themselves” (385). Although it is not clear why she says this, I suspect that it has to deal with the interpretation. When I read the Bible, it may mean one thing to me, but something completely different to someone else.
There are many stereotypes about single-childs; that they are bossy, spoiled, and have imaginary friends to compensate for their loneliness. Stowe depicts Evangeline as a leader, whom her father goes to, to ask "what is being a Christian" (422) supposed to mean. Evangeline in the new generation; enlightened, happy, philanthropic, and hopeful. Stowe used Evangeline to foreshadow a possible future of the United States, and when she died, she died with a message and legacy. Stowe uses Evangeline's (a white girl's) death to give hope of saving the live of others (African-Americans).
DeleteLogos #3
ReplyDelete-In Christina Baker Kline’s "Orphan Train”, (i cannot italicize! or underline!), the main character, Vivian, recounts her story of growing up in the foster care system. This is one of my favorite book, in that people of all ages are able to connect to the Vivian’s life (except maybe not the orphan part). In UTC, when St Clare purchases a slave named Topsy for Miss Ophelia, it reminded me of the foster care system, because Miss Ophelia was adamant about raising her as a well behaved girl with religious values. According to St Clare, Miss Ophelia is “always preaching about educating” (353). In previous chapters when we first meet Ophelia, is as very adamant about education and qualities that Northerners had, rather than Southern plantation owners. In such, Stowe attempts to advocate Republican principles, that were not only anti slavery, but pro education and learning. The use of a good character (Ophelia) allows Stowe’s use of Logos to influence the lives of others.
Logos #5
ReplyDeleteAt Mayfield, and the majority of other educational institutions, our classes follow the same pattern: learning then testing. Similarly, in Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe follows the same sort of pattern. From the onset of the novel, Stowe depicts a scene and, after, directly addresses the audience to stress a point. For example, in chapter 38, Legree tries to persuade Tom to desert his Christian beliefs and join his Church in order to become an overseer. After Stowe illustrates Tom's misery, she turns around and directly addresses the reader by stating this universal truth: "When a heavy weight presses the soul to the lowest level...there is a desperate effort...to throw off the weight" (554). Stowe continues the pattern of showing a tough situation and then testing the audience by directly addressing the reader, establishing logos.