Purpose #1 (chp. 1-14) Slavery was one of the main reasons of the North and South split in the 1850s. The South was where slavery was prominent, and many whites owned slaves in their homes, farms, and shops. However, Harriet Beecher Stowe presented a few characters who believed slavery was unjust, one of whom was Jon Van Trompe. At first, he owned slaves, but as time went on he began to feel guilty. Eventually, Trompe bought “rich land” and “made free papers for all his people” (159). He sent them off and began to take in slaves who seeked freedom from their owners, also promising protection from them if they were to come and attack Trompe’s home. He presents the small fraction of whites that believed slavery was unlawful and provides support in Stowe’s thoughts of abolition.
Reply #1 Nice thought, Kat:). I do believe that one of Harriet Beecher Stowe's purposes was to refute slavery, but more precisely, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It is very significant that she includes a variety of characters, all with different opinions on slavery. I also think that Stowe's purpose is to point out the incompatibility of slavery and Christian values. In chapter 3, Eliza tells her husband George, "I always thought that I must obey my master and mistress, or I couldn't be a Christian." (Pg 61) Although respect is a Christian value, slavery is an inhumane constituion that does not acknowledge the human dignity of every person.
Reply #2 Bringing in some history I see! The connection to the Fugitive Slave Act is a great funds, and I’m glad you mentioned it. I agree with all the points you made about slavery and its inhumanity. Because Christianity is a recurring theme in the novel, it is important to acknowledge it and its history, and how Christians are against this cruel act. We must strive to be better people!
Purpose #2: As seen with this most recent election, the majority of large national issues have at least two different sides. In this election, avid Hillary supporters, zealous Trump supporters, and disappointed Americans who disliked both candidates all had different views on who should be the president-elect. Similarly, in the issue of racial equality and the right to own slaves, the North and the South were irrevocably divided. One of Harriet Beecher Stowe's most important purposes for writing Uncle Tom's Cabin is to show the different sides and perspectives to the slavery issue. In chapter 12, dialogue between passengers of the Riviere boat perfectly illustrates the diverse points of views. One lady says that it is a "shame to our country" to have slaves, while another argues that "the negroes are better off than they would be to be free" (199). The two women proceed to get into an altercation, with the second arguing that slaves "DO feel," while the first says it is the intention of God for "the African race to be servants" (200). Stowe presents these views in order to let the reader decide for themselves whether they support or abhor slavery given her stories of families separating and other racial injustices.
Comment #2 I love this comparison, Mo! This recent election divided the country over the like and dislike of the candidates, just like the issue of slavery divided the North and South. Chapter 12 is a great example of how Stowe uses two extreme views of slavery to make her argument even stronger. The extreme view in support of slavery may incline the readers, at the time, to re-think their standpoint on slavery. Reading the words "the African race to be servants" probably hit many people hard. Did southerners have slaves to benefit themselves and to make money, or because they truly believed that was the destiny of slaves?
Comment #10 To answer your ending question Emma, I think it was a mix of both. First, they saw slaves as an investment, like a car, that would be very useful although expensive. Second, is likely that from their birth, this was the teaching in Churches and schools that African Americans were for some reason less important than whites. It is probably this repeated statement that they took for granted, without ever stopping to really think about why blacks are considered of a lower standing than whites. I think we see these type of assumptions in 21st century culture too - we hear that the Kylie lip kit is the best, or the double camera on the iPhone 7+ makes the pictures so much clearer, but in reality we don't know for sure if these things are true or stop to think WHY.
In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, she uses racial stereotypes to mock the Fugitive Slave Act and speak on behalf of slaves, many who accepted their lifestyle. Her novel increased tensions between the North and South, who “both… [had] been guilty before God” (447). Her novel supported the Abolitionist Movement, which brought to mind the immoralities of slavery, and sparked many disputes. She acknowledged the hypocritical views of the Christian church, which had “a heavy account to answer” (447). Her novel acknowledged many issues nationally and called individuals to handle the problem with love. She foreshadowed many issues of her day being solved. Ultimately, she claimed that laziness would not be the answer to slavery and that action had to be taken in order to fix the issue.
Reply #10 Fantastic post Sofia *snaps* I completely agree but think that Stowe is also using her novel to urge northerners that do not believe slavery affects them very much or that they are not participating in it and therefore do not have to be in involved in the Abolitionist Movement that slavery affects everyone in America and for current readers that its legacy still affects us all today.
Purpose #4: Stowe’s purpose of writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin is to argue for the abolition of slavery. In Chapter 20, introduces a new character, Topsy, who illustrates one of the many problems that American’s slavery created; children taken from their parents at infancy to be raised for a specific job. St. Clare brings home Topsy, a girl of eight or nine years. After Ophelia cleans the child up she begins to question her, only to find that Topsy knows absolutely nothing about her own history or anything else. She was raised “by a speculator” that raised her for the market. Topsy knows nothing about how old she or how long she has been with her most recent owners. Stowes illustration the effects of slavery upon family and morality and adds another argument to show slavery is a sin that needs to be abolished.
Women!! Women's rights were formally established after abolition, but feminism was still a thought early on to certain empowered women. One of Stowe's purposes in Uncle Tom's Cabin that may be looked over is the power of women. Although this may be a secondary purpose of Stowe, the importance of the topic should not be diminished. Both the Grimke sisters and Stowe related and paralleled abolition to women's rights. Slavery was a patriarchal institution, and with that came the affection of women. Many mothers in the novel display their sentiment and speculation of slavery, but some make more of an impact than others. Stowe confirms the impact of a mother's intuition with the character of Simon Legree. Legree is a cruel slave owner who buys Tom. In chapter 33, Legree demands that Tom whip Lucy after he helped her collect cotton. When Tom refuses, Legree is found "taking up a cowhide, and striking Tom a heavy blow across the cheek" (507). Legree is a merciless person who was not raised with the compassion of a powerful mother.
Purpose #1 (chp. 1-14)
ReplyDeleteSlavery was one of the main reasons of the North and South split in the 1850s. The South was where slavery was prominent, and many whites owned slaves in their homes, farms, and shops. However, Harriet Beecher Stowe presented a few characters who believed slavery was unjust, one of whom was Jon Van Trompe. At first, he owned slaves, but as time went on he began to feel guilty. Eventually, Trompe bought “rich land” and “made free papers for all his people” (159). He sent them off and began to take in slaves who seeked freedom from their owners, also promising protection from them if they were to come and attack Trompe’s home. He presents the small fraction of whites that believed slavery was unlawful and provides support in Stowe’s thoughts of abolition.
Reply #1
DeleteNice thought, Kat:). I do believe that one of Harriet Beecher Stowe's purposes was to refute slavery, but more precisely, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It is very significant that she includes a variety of characters, all with different opinions on slavery. I also think that Stowe's purpose is to point out the incompatibility of slavery and Christian values. In chapter 3, Eliza tells her husband George, "I always thought that I must obey my master and mistress, or I couldn't be a Christian." (Pg 61) Although respect is a Christian value, slavery is an inhumane constituion that does not acknowledge the human dignity of every person.
Delete
Reply #2
DeleteBringing in some history I see! The connection to the Fugitive Slave Act is a great funds, and I’m glad you mentioned it. I agree with all the points you made about slavery and its inhumanity. Because Christianity is a recurring theme in the novel, it is important to acknowledge it and its history, and how Christians are against this cruel act. We must strive to be better people!
Purpose #2:
ReplyDeleteAs seen with this most recent election, the majority of large national issues have at least two different sides. In this election, avid Hillary supporters, zealous Trump supporters, and disappointed Americans who disliked both candidates all had different views on who should be the president-elect. Similarly, in the issue of racial equality and the right to own slaves, the North and the South were irrevocably divided. One of Harriet Beecher Stowe's most important purposes for writing Uncle Tom's Cabin is to show the different sides and perspectives to the slavery issue. In chapter 12, dialogue between passengers of the Riviere boat perfectly illustrates the diverse points of views. One lady says that it is a "shame to our country" to have slaves, while another argues that "the negroes are better off than they would be to be free" (199). The two women proceed to get into an altercation, with the second arguing that slaves "DO feel," while the first says it is the intention of God for "the African race to be servants" (200). Stowe presents these views in order to let the reader decide for themselves whether they support or abhor slavery given her stories of families separating and other racial injustices.
Comment #2
DeleteI love this comparison, Mo! This recent election divided the country over the like and dislike of the candidates, just like the issue of slavery divided the North and South. Chapter 12 is a great example of how Stowe uses two extreme views of slavery to make her argument even stronger. The extreme view in support of slavery may incline the readers, at the time, to re-think their standpoint on slavery. Reading the words "the African race to be servants" probably hit many people hard. Did southerners have slaves to benefit themselves and to make money, or because they truly believed that was the destiny of slaves?
Comment #10
DeleteTo answer your ending question Emma, I think it was a mix of both. First, they saw slaves as an investment, like a car, that would be very useful although expensive. Second, is likely that from their birth, this was the teaching in Churches and schools that African Americans were for some reason less important than whites. It is probably this repeated statement that they took for granted, without ever stopping to really think about why blacks are considered of a lower standing than whites. I think we see these type of assumptions in 21st century culture too - we hear that the Kylie lip kit is the best, or the double camera on the iPhone 7+ makes the pictures so much clearer, but in reality we don't know for sure if these things are true or stop to think WHY.
Purpose #5 (pgs 457-finish)
ReplyDeleteIn Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, she uses racial stereotypes to mock the Fugitive Slave Act and speak on behalf of slaves, many who accepted their lifestyle. Her novel increased tensions between the North and South, who “both… [had] been guilty before God” (447). Her novel supported the Abolitionist Movement, which brought to mind the immoralities of slavery, and sparked many disputes. She acknowledged the hypocritical views of the Christian church, which had “a heavy account to answer” (447). Her novel acknowledged many issues nationally and called individuals to handle the problem with love. She foreshadowed many issues of her day being solved. Ultimately, she claimed that laziness would not be the answer to slavery and that action had to be taken in order to fix the issue.
Reply #10
DeleteFantastic post Sofia *snaps* I completely agree but think that Stowe is also using her novel to urge northerners that do not believe slavery affects them very much or that they are not participating in it and therefore do not have to be in involved in the Abolitionist Movement that slavery affects everyone in America and for current readers that its legacy still affects us all today.
Purpose #4:
ReplyDeleteStowe’s purpose of writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin is to argue for the abolition of slavery. In Chapter 20, introduces a new character, Topsy, who illustrates one of the many problems that American’s slavery created; children taken from their parents at infancy to be raised for a specific job. St. Clare brings home Topsy, a girl of eight or nine years. After Ophelia cleans the child up she begins to question her, only to find that Topsy knows absolutely nothing about her own history or anything else. She was raised “by a speculator” that raised her for the market. Topsy knows nothing about how old she or how long she has been with her most recent owners. Stowes illustration the effects of slavery upon family and morality and adds another argument to show slavery is a sin that needs to be abolished.
Purpose #3
ReplyDeleteWomen!! Women's rights were formally established after abolition, but feminism was still a thought early on to certain empowered women. One of Stowe's purposes in Uncle Tom's Cabin that may be looked over is the power of women. Although this may be a secondary purpose of Stowe, the importance of the topic should not be diminished. Both the Grimke sisters and Stowe related and paralleled abolition to women's rights. Slavery was a patriarchal institution, and with that came the affection of women. Many mothers in the novel display their sentiment and speculation of slavery, but some make more of an impact than others. Stowe confirms the impact of a mother's intuition with the character of Simon Legree. Legree is a cruel slave owner who buys Tom. In chapter 33, Legree demands that Tom whip Lucy after he helped her collect cotton. When Tom refuses, Legree is found "taking up a cowhide, and striking Tom a heavy blow across the cheek" (507). Legree is a merciless person who was not raised with the compassion of a powerful mother.