Authors draw on their personal lives in the world around them for inspiration. Harriet Beecher Stowe, born in 1811, had an abundance of influential events both from her personal life and the turbulent world around her. In the article Stowe’s Life and Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Joan D. Hedrick, “Harriet Beecher Stowe had a profound effect on nineteenth-century culture and politics, not because her ideas were original, but because they were common.” Stowe was heavily influenced by her middle class, religious parents. Education was a top priority in the Beecher household and, as Harriet's parents, Rev. Layman and Roxana always said, “we expect our children to shape the world” (Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Life). Harriet Beecher Stowe proved that
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Today, the United States is faced with issues such as discrimination and terrorism not unlike the 1850’s where the issues revolved around slavery and a brewing civil war. The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was written in a time where political climate was divided on North and South and black and white issues. “In 1852 approximately 3.5 million African Americans were enslaved — roughly 14% of the total population of the United States” (Bunch). This was the topic of a famous speech given by Frederick Douglas on July 5th 1852 in Rochester, New York, at Rochester's Corinthian Hall. Douglas perhaps aimed for this speech to reach the the ears of those who could potentially influence politicians. “Reaction to the speech was strong but mixed. Some were angered and other appreciative” (Bunch). Social issues such as slavery are brought into the spotlight by powerful words from powerful speakers as is so with Harriet Beecher Stowe. The written word has always had a way of influencing society like no other medium. Hollis Robbins wrote in the article Uncle Tom's Cabin And the Matter of Influence “Uncle Tom’s Cabin has been cussed and discussed since May 8, 1851. Southerners considered the novel a libelous hodgepodge of bad research and flat-out lies” (Robbins). According to Beecher Stowe
Today, the United States is faced with issues such as discrimination and terrorism not unlike the 1850’s where the issues revolved around slavery and a brewing civil war. The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was written in a time where political climate was divided on North and South and black and white issues. “In 1852 approximately 3.5 million African Americans were enslaved — roughly 14% of the total population of the United States” (Bunch). This was the topic of a famous speech given by Frederick Douglas on July 5th 1852 in Rochester, New York, at Rochester's Corinthian Hall. Douglas perhaps aimed for this speech to reach the the ears of those who could potentially influence politicians. “Reaction to the speech was strong but mixed. Some were angered and other appreciative” (Bunch). Social issues such as slavery are brought into the spotlight by powerful words from powerful speakers as is so with Harriet Beecher Stowe. The written word has always had a way of influencing society like no other medium. Hollis Robbins wrote in the article Uncle Tom's Cabin And the Matter of Influence “Uncle Tom’s Cabin has been cussed and discussed since May 8, 1851. Southerners considered the novel a libelous hodgepodge of bad research and flat-out lies” (Robbins). According to Beecher Stowe