Themes #1 Students persevere through school and their homework everyday for a purpose, whether it be to have a 4.0 GPA or simply so they can survive until the weekend. Although there are many different ways to persevere through a tough situation, Harriet Beecher Stowe argues that one must remain positive and trust in a higher authority in order to receive a desirable outcome. For example, when George is telling Eliza of his plan to escape she urges that George, “pray himself…and go trusting in him [God],” (65) so that he, “won’t do anything wicked,” (65) suggesting that as long as he has faith in God, he will come out on top in the end. Similarly, when Uncle Tom discovers that he has been sold to Haley and is given the chance to escape with Eliza and Harry he replies, “‘Mas’r always found me on the spot—he always will. I have never broken trust…and I never will,” (90) which indicates that Tom has faith in Mr. Shelby and trusts that Mr. Shelby knows what he is doing. It can be incredibly hard to put faith and trust in another person or God but the risk is often worth the reward.
Themes #2 Spongebob Squarepants is a hilarious children's cartoon that has been wildly popular for over a decade. Coincidently, each of the main characters in the show (Spongebob, Mr Krabs, Gary, etc) represent one of the 7 deadly sins. Although Marie, St. Clare's wife, does not accurately represent greed, her selfish and hostile nature are very similar to that of the 7th deadly sin. In part, a major theme in this part of the book is selfishness. Marie keeps accusing her slave, Mammy that "it's selfish of her to sleep so sound nights", when in reality, it is Marie who is selfish because she doesn't care for anyone but herself. In response, St Clare says that 'selfishness is a dreadful fault" and the reader can only presume he is commenting on Marie's actions. (261).
Reply #7 Haha I love this connection Harper! And I completely agree that Marie represents selfishness but I would also say that she represents sloth because she does not work or even take care of herself and expects her slaves to do all of that for her. I think that Stowe was creating a comparison between Marie and Mammy because Mammy acts more like Eva's mother than Marie does and Mammy works harder and is more selfless than Marie.
Themes #3 Some words you may hear in the halls of Mayfield are the repetition of the term “like”, or other phrases such as “oh my God” and “it’s Tpumps Tuesday!” This teen jargon is common among the girls in Mayfield and among other teenagers in the Pasadena area as well. To parallel this in Stowe’s novel, some common terms said by the slaves involve religion, such as “Lord”, “God”, and even some religious songs. For instance, Tom sings “the words of a well-known Methodist hymn” (382), exemplifying the theme of religion and its importance throughout the novel. The slaves are constantly referring to “God” or “Lord”, praying for their freedom. The Mayfield girls just want cheaper Tpumps on Tuesdays!
Comment #9 I think you are implying the theme of religion in the novel. If you are, then I agree 100%. There was a mention of religion in almost every single chapter, and as we read later on, much of the novel surrounds the conversion of St Clare into a Christian and forgiveness to the Lord as Uncle Tom dies. I believe that Stowe was not only putting in her own opinion, but also used religion as an appeal to millions of Christians living in the United States at this time. I believe that religion could also be the intended audience, because perhaps churches advocated for the promotion of this book, as many Christians were anti slavery and that is why St Clare wants to let Tom free.
Theme #4 In the 2012 Olympics, Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was in first place, and mistakenly thought he had finished the race when he was about 10 meters from the finish line, giving the Spanish second place runner the chance to overtake him and win gold. However, the Spanish runner caught up to him and guided Mutai to the finish line, choosing compassion over victory. Similarly, an important theme in Uncle Tom's Cabin is compassion. Stowe illustrates that one must have and display compassion in order to live a faithful and honest life, showing that slaves still maintained their character while enduring great suffering. For example, in chapter 33, Tom notices a fellow slave in "a great condition of suffering," so he "transferred several handfuls of cotton from his own sack to hers" (502). Tom ends up being whipped by the brutal overseer, but he would rather suffer than see someone else suffer when he could have done something about it. This theme of compassion arises again and again throughout the novel, such as the kindness of the Birds who helped Eliza and Harry in their escape.
As a Christian, Stowe clearly emphasizes that love can overcome any adversity, if the individual chooses to view their faith as stronger. She tells the reader that "in order to appreciate the sufferings of the negroes sold South, it must be remembered that all the instinctive affections of that race are peculiarly strong" (164), calling recognition to the South's perseverance. Throughout the novel, she aims to highlight the slaves' strength and their growth of unity through their hardships.
In 1967, the song "All you Need is Love" by the Beatles reached #1 on the United States and United Kingdom charts. It presented a clear message that love is everything in life. In Uncle Tom's Cabin, a pure, Christian love is displayed though Tom and Eva. Eva loves everyone, including every slave in her house and her horrible mother. Whether black or white, slave or free, mean or nice, love is possible. In chapter 16, Eva says "Why, it makes so many more round you to love, you know," when she is asked about why she loves all of her slaves. Eva recognizes that the more love that she gives, the more love she receives.
Themes #1
ReplyDeleteStudents persevere through school and their homework everyday for a purpose, whether it be to have a 4.0 GPA or simply so they can survive until the weekend. Although there are many different ways to persevere through a tough situation, Harriet Beecher Stowe argues that one must remain positive and trust in a higher authority in order to receive a desirable outcome. For example, when George is telling Eliza of his plan to escape she urges that George, “pray himself…and go trusting in him [God],” (65) so that he, “won’t do anything wicked,” (65) suggesting that as long as he has faith in God, he will come out on top in the end. Similarly, when Uncle Tom discovers that he has been sold to Haley and is given the chance to escape with Eliza and Harry he replies, “‘Mas’r always found me on the spot—he always will. I have never broken trust…and I never will,” (90) which indicates that Tom has faith in Mr. Shelby and trusts that Mr. Shelby knows what he is doing. It can be incredibly hard to put faith and trust in another person or God but the risk is often worth the reward.
Themes #2
ReplyDeleteSpongebob Squarepants is a hilarious children's cartoon that has been wildly popular for over a decade. Coincidently, each of the main characters in the show (Spongebob, Mr Krabs, Gary, etc) represent one of the 7 deadly sins. Although Marie, St. Clare's wife, does not accurately represent greed, her selfish and hostile nature are very similar to that of the 7th deadly sin. In part, a major theme in this part of the book is selfishness. Marie keeps accusing her slave, Mammy that "it's selfish of her to sleep so sound nights", when in reality, it is Marie who is selfish because she doesn't care for anyone but herself. In response, St Clare says that 'selfishness is a dreadful fault" and the reader can only presume he is commenting on Marie's actions. (261).
Reply #7
DeleteHaha I love this connection Harper! And I completely agree that Marie represents selfishness but I would also say that she represents sloth because she does not work or even take care of herself and expects her slaves to do all of that for her. I think that Stowe was creating a comparison between Marie and Mammy because Mammy acts more like Eva's mother than Marie does and Mammy works harder and is more selfless than Marie.
Themes #3
ReplyDeleteSome words you may hear in the halls of Mayfield are the repetition of the term “like”, or other phrases such as “oh my God” and “it’s Tpumps Tuesday!” This teen jargon is common among the girls in Mayfield and among other teenagers in the Pasadena area as well. To parallel this in Stowe’s novel, some common terms said by the slaves involve religion, such as “Lord”, “God”, and even some religious songs. For instance, Tom sings “the words of a well-known Methodist hymn” (382), exemplifying the theme of religion and its importance throughout the novel. The slaves are constantly referring to “God” or “Lord”, praying for their freedom. The Mayfield girls just want cheaper Tpumps on Tuesdays!
Comment #9
DeleteI think you are implying the theme of religion in the novel. If you are, then I agree 100%. There was a mention of religion in almost every single chapter, and as we read later on, much of the novel surrounds the conversion of St Clare into a Christian and forgiveness to the Lord as Uncle Tom dies. I believe that Stowe was not only putting in her own opinion, but also used religion as an appeal to millions of Christians living in the United States at this time. I believe that religion could also be the intended audience, because perhaps churches advocated for the promotion of this book, as many Christians were anti slavery and that is why St Clare wants to let Tom free.
Theme #4
ReplyDeleteIn the 2012 Olympics, Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was in first place, and mistakenly thought he had finished the race when he was about 10 meters from the finish line, giving the Spanish second place runner the chance to overtake him and win gold. However, the Spanish runner caught up to him and guided Mutai to the finish line, choosing compassion over victory. Similarly, an important theme in Uncle Tom's Cabin is compassion. Stowe illustrates that one must have and display compassion in order to live a faithful and honest life, showing that slaves still maintained their character while enduring great suffering. For example, in chapter 33, Tom notices a fellow slave in "a great condition of suffering," so he "transferred several handfuls of cotton from his own sack to hers" (502). Tom ends up being whipped by the brutal overseer, but he would rather suffer than see someone else suffer when he could have done something about it. This theme of compassion arises again and again throughout the novel, such as the kindness of the Birds who helped Eliza and Harry in their escape.
As a Christian, Stowe clearly emphasizes that love can overcome any adversity, if the individual chooses to view their faith as stronger. She tells the reader that "in order to appreciate the sufferings of the negroes sold South, it must be remembered that all the instinctive affections of that race are peculiarly strong" (164), calling recognition to the South's perseverance. Throughout the novel, she aims to highlight the slaves' strength and their growth of unity through their hardships.
DeleteTheme #5
ReplyDeleteIn 1967, the song "All you Need is Love" by the Beatles reached #1 on the United States and United Kingdom charts. It presented a clear message that love is everything in life. In Uncle Tom's Cabin, a pure, Christian love is displayed though Tom and Eva. Eva loves everyone, including every slave in her house and her horrible mother. Whether black or white, slave or free, mean or nice, love is possible. In chapter 16, Eva says "Why, it makes so many more round you to love, you know," when she is asked about why she loves all of her slaves. Eva recognizes that the more love that she gives, the more love she receives.