R/A #1 A casual tone with a friend is common among teenagers, such as using contractions, bad language, and terms like "omg!". However, this would be completely unacceptable when talking to an adult, a teacher, or another authority figure. Similarly, Sam, a respected slave on the Shelby plantation, speaks with valor when commenting on Eliza's flight. He says, "Der ain't no saying' -never- 'bout no kind o' thing in DIS yer world", and places great emphasis on the word this, speaking like a true philosopher. Although this language may seem uneducated to a white man of the time, the diction Sam uses shows great conclusions and attentiveness in his mind. (89)
Reply #9 I agree with your comment and love your connection #relatable. I also think that Sam speaks like that because he is imitating the white people he knows and attempting to change the way he is viewed by Mr. and Mrs. Shelby and by the rest of the slaves because he is using Eliza's escape and Uncle Tom's sale to become the "Top Dog" and go to guy for the Shelby's.
R/A #2 Stowe’s tone in the novel is a very serious one. To go along with it, she alludes to Christianity and God on multiple occasions, such as when the slaves are conversing with each other or among the slaveowners and the whites. For example, during a heated conversation about slavery between Miss Ophelia and Augustine St. Clare, St. Clare refers to Christianity, saying that it “obliterates the feeling of personal prejudice” (273), as he believes that slavery is just and Miss Ophelia does not. This allusion to God strengthens his argument during this back and forth with Miss Ophelia, even though what he said is not entirely true. References similar to this one and others strengthen the serious tone, as well as bolster Stowe’s deposition.
R/A #3: Throughout the novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe conveys a cohesive understanding of the language of the time. By using specific tone, diction, and syntax, Stowe writes dialogue differently for every class of person. Enslaved blacks, such as Aunt Chloe, speak in a very distinct and highly unsophisticated manner; to the reader it is almost an incomprehensible jibberish. For example, Sam, one of Mr. Shelby's servants, says "gen'lmen der will scuse my usin' an or'nary sort o' 'parison" (139). Free blacks, such as George after he escaped, speak in a more sophisticated manner, sounding almost like a white man yet not as refined. George says, "Can't a fellow put this and that together, and see what it comes too?" (185). Mulattos and quadroons, or mixed slaves, such as Eliza speak like free blacks do, and white males speak the most proficient, sophisticated English in the novel. Stowe's understanding of linguistics and different types of Englishes is apparent, and she uses them to show that even a slight amount of white heritage in a person is considered valuable, while the enslaved blacks are considered the least valuable in the novel, and therefore speak the worst.
R/A #5 The brutal life on the Legree plantation is a metaphoric cycle for the slavery system breeding cruelty. The men who are supposed to be brothers turn on each other to survive. Legree notices that Tom is a good worker but holds a “secret dislike for him” because he resents Tom’s compassion. In the cotton fields when Cassy was being kicked in the head by another slave he helps her by filling her sack with his cotton. When Legree learns of the incident, he orders Tom to flog the woman and when Tom refuses, Legree has Tom whipped until he’s unconscious. Legree lives for the power he feels over his slaves when he beats then and another reason he dislikes Tom is because Tom submits to any punishment without displaying fear or resentment. Legree craves Tom's begging so that he can feel power over him. Stowe also emphasizes strong powers women can hold over men and religion. The only slave who influences Legree is a Cassy, a woman.It is not a man, but a woman who risks her life to help Tom. Stowe's message is it’s her female readers duty to help with the abolition of slavery. Cassy also adds a supernatural element to the novel by tricking Legree into fearing her by telling him she is a witch with "the devil in me." Legree is susceptible to this ploy because of his lack of religious faith. Stowe evokes fear because those who lack religion are the most likely to believe lies. She appeals to her readers to in Christianity and that slavery is morally wrong and should be abolished.
R/A #1
ReplyDeleteA casual tone with a friend is common among teenagers, such as using contractions, bad language, and terms like "omg!". However, this would be completely unacceptable when talking to an adult, a teacher, or another authority figure. Similarly, Sam, a respected slave on the Shelby plantation, speaks with valor when commenting on Eliza's flight. He says, "Der ain't no saying' -never- 'bout no kind o' thing in DIS yer world", and places great emphasis on the word this, speaking like a true philosopher. Although this language may seem uneducated to a white man of the time, the diction Sam uses shows great conclusions and attentiveness in his mind. (89)
Reply #9
DeleteI agree with your comment and love your connection #relatable. I also think that Sam speaks like that because he is imitating the white people he knows and attempting to change the way he is viewed by Mr. and Mrs. Shelby and by the rest of the slaves because he is using Eliza's escape and Uncle Tom's sale to become the "Top Dog" and go to guy for the Shelby's.
R/A #2
ReplyDeleteStowe’s tone in the novel is a very serious one. To go along with it, she alludes to Christianity and God on multiple occasions, such as when the slaves are conversing with each other or among the slaveowners and the whites. For example, during a heated conversation about slavery between Miss Ophelia and Augustine St. Clare, St. Clare refers to Christianity, saying that it “obliterates the feeling of personal prejudice” (273), as he believes that slavery is just and Miss Ophelia does not. This allusion to God strengthens his argument during this back and forth with Miss Ophelia, even though what he said is not entirely true. References similar to this one and others strengthen the serious tone, as well as bolster Stowe’s deposition.
R/A #3:
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe conveys a cohesive understanding of the language of the time. By using specific tone, diction, and syntax, Stowe writes dialogue differently for every class of person. Enslaved blacks, such as Aunt Chloe, speak in a very distinct and highly unsophisticated manner; to the reader it is almost an incomprehensible jibberish. For example, Sam, one of Mr. Shelby's servants, says "gen'lmen der will scuse my usin' an or'nary sort o' 'parison" (139). Free blacks, such as George after he escaped, speak in a more sophisticated manner, sounding almost like a white man yet not as refined. George says, "Can't a fellow put this and that together, and see what it comes too?" (185). Mulattos and quadroons, or mixed slaves, such as Eliza speak like free blacks do, and white males speak the most proficient, sophisticated English in the novel. Stowe's understanding of linguistics and different types of Englishes is apparent, and she uses them to show that even a slight amount of white heritage in a person is considered valuable, while the enslaved blacks are considered the least valuable in the novel, and therefore speak the worst.
R/A #5
ReplyDeleteThe brutal life on the Legree plantation is a metaphoric cycle for the slavery system breeding cruelty. The men who are supposed to be brothers turn on each other to survive. Legree notices that Tom is a good worker but holds a “secret dislike for him” because he resents Tom’s compassion. In the cotton fields when Cassy was being kicked in the head by another slave he helps her by filling her sack with his cotton. When Legree learns of the incident, he orders Tom to flog the woman and when Tom refuses, Legree has Tom whipped until he’s unconscious. Legree lives for the power he feels over his slaves when he beats then and another reason he dislikes Tom is because Tom submits to any punishment without displaying fear or resentment. Legree craves Tom's begging so that he can feel power over him. Stowe also emphasizes strong powers women can hold over men and religion. The only slave who influences Legree is a Cassy, a woman.It is not a man, but a woman who risks her life to help Tom. Stowe's message is it’s her female readers duty to help with the abolition of slavery. Cassy also adds a supernatural element to the novel by tricking Legree into fearing her by telling him she is a witch with "the devil in me." Legree is susceptible to this ploy because of his lack of religious faith. Stowe evokes fear because those who lack religion are the most likely to believe lies. She appeals to her readers to in Christianity and that slavery is morally wrong and should be abolished.