Oppression Of Uncle Tom's Cabin By Harriet Beecher Stowe

In Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author communicates to the reader that the inhumane institution of slavery must be eradicated. The author expresses this argument by demonstrating the importance of honest Christian morale, clearly showing effects of oppression on slaves, and laying out the negative impacts slavery has on American society. Stowe heavily incorporated her beliefs throughout the novel and indicated that true Christian ethics are needed to overcome slavery. In the storyline, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed declaring it was illegal to give aid to runaway slaves (pg. 46). Senator John Bird of Ohio discussed with his wife how such a law is justified and that he even voted in its favor. Even so, when Eliza and …show more content…
Some may say that this serves as a step backwards in the message she was trying to send, but it was important for the author to confront what she believed was false Christian ideology so she could adequately inform readers how her perception of Christianity was necessary for freedom of the races. We see this idea when Marie St. Clare shared with her husband Auguste the message of a minister preaching that the order of society comes from God. Stating that some must be high and others low, Marie was hoping to validate slavery to her husband. Auguste simply denies the Bible having a direct correlation to the debate on slavery ethics (pg. 85). In this time period, it was common for preachers to use biblical stories to maintain the institution of slavery. Another excellent example of opposing Christian beliefs occurred in the chapter where Arthur Shelby was arguing with his wife Margaret over his recent business in slave trade. Throughout the exchange, Margaret denounces her husband for selling slaves whom she spent teaching Christian values for years. Her husband attempts to rationalize his actions by referring to a sermon where Reverend Brook suggested that slavery was not an evil practice. Margaret only responds by saying that she wishes to never hear the Reverend's sermons again (pg. 27). Conflict such as this vital in developing the plot of the story because it shows they way humans could change religious texts to better suit their conditions. Arthur only brought up the sermon to bring comfort to his wife and perhaps himself for partaking in the dire transaction of slave trade. Margaret, recognizing sin in her husband’s behavior, represents what should be the correct mindset of Christianity, or at least what the author believes to be the correct