Brandon Stevens
Mrs.Sarich
A.P. Lit
5 March 2015
The Controversy of Uncle Toms Cabin During the 1800’s, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the most influential novel whose popularity is surpassed by no other. Quickly during the 1800‘s Stowe became a pioneer for the anti-slavery and feminist movement. With the massive success attained by the novel, slavery soon became a pressing issue throughout society. Many literary works are incapable of entirely changing society as a whole, but novels such as, Uncle Times Cabin are able to create an awareness so vast that society finds ways to bring about change. The publication of the novel invigorated society to such an extent that congress held slavery as being a national rather than a regional issue. …show more content…
With a large Protestant audience, Stowe draws attention in depicting that slavery and the morality of Christianity oppose each other. During the novel it is said that, “ No Christian should be able to tolerate slavery” (Stowe 45). But, after thorough review, Stowe’s novel also supports the notion of slavery through religion. Eva, who is characterized as the most morale character in the novel doesn’t seem to understand how one could view whites and blacks differently. Legree, who is characterized as being a social opposite to Eva, supports slavery, and is non-religious. Both characters representing the clashing opinions of slavery during the time period. Stowe explains that Christianity holds an opinion of “universal love” (Chait 61). Periodically, if this notion of “universal Love” was to be integrated throughout society, then it would be unethical to continue the practice of slavery. Thus, religion is a force that could adequately battle slavery. Throughout the book it is apparent that Stowe believed Christianity to be “ entirely conflicting with slavery” (Gilmore 63). For example, during chapter five Mrs.Shelby - an ethical Christian mistress-explains, “ This is gods curse on slavery!-a bitter, bitter, most accursed thing!-a curse to the master and a curse to the slave! I was a fool to think I could make anything good out of such a deadly evil.” (44). This quote representing the …show more content…
White women were not the only females that were highlighted throughout the book. Black women were also viewed within a positive light. Black women were depicted as being “strong, fearless, and proficient.” A prime example is the character Eliza. It is through Eliza that “ Some mothers mad society conform t maternal needs and expectations, rather than conform to social needs and expectations, rather than conform to social needs and expectations.” (Carney 17). Stowe also describes a certain duty in which all women are meant to fulfill ,that proves to be extremely impactful throughout society. For example, Mary tells her husband “ I can read my Bible, and there I see I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate; that Bible I mean to follow.”(85). Throughout the discussion Stowe is intent on describing to the readers that womanhood represents a power different from men. Hedrick portrays women and blacks as “ instruments of salvation” (319) Stowe stresses that women have the potential to break their social restrictions and influence not only their family, but society through their abolition of slavery. Throughout the novel Stowe uses a variety of characters to highlight the strengths of women and their impact on society, but Stowe
Mrs.Sarich
A.P. Lit
5 March 2015
The Controversy of Uncle Toms Cabin During the 1800’s, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the most influential novel whose popularity is surpassed by no other. Quickly during the 1800‘s Stowe became a pioneer for the anti-slavery and feminist movement. With the massive success attained by the novel, slavery soon became a pressing issue throughout society. Many literary works are incapable of entirely changing society as a whole, but novels such as, Uncle Times Cabin are able to create an awareness so vast that society finds ways to bring about change. The publication of the novel invigorated society to such an extent that congress held slavery as being a national rather than a regional issue. …show more content…
With a large Protestant audience, Stowe draws attention in depicting that slavery and the morality of Christianity oppose each other. During the novel it is said that, “ No Christian should be able to tolerate slavery” (Stowe 45). But, after thorough review, Stowe’s novel also supports the notion of slavery through religion. Eva, who is characterized as the most morale character in the novel doesn’t seem to understand how one could view whites and blacks differently. Legree, who is characterized as being a social opposite to Eva, supports slavery, and is non-religious. Both characters representing the clashing opinions of slavery during the time period. Stowe explains that Christianity holds an opinion of “universal love” (Chait 61). Periodically, if this notion of “universal Love” was to be integrated throughout society, then it would be unethical to continue the practice of slavery. Thus, religion is a force that could adequately battle slavery. Throughout the book it is apparent that Stowe believed Christianity to be “ entirely conflicting with slavery” (Gilmore 63). For example, during chapter five Mrs.Shelby - an ethical Christian mistress-explains, “ This is gods curse on slavery!-a bitter, bitter, most accursed thing!-a curse to the master and a curse to the slave! I was a fool to think I could make anything good out of such a deadly evil.” (44). This quote representing the …show more content…
White women were not the only females that were highlighted throughout the book. Black women were also viewed within a positive light. Black women were depicted as being “strong, fearless, and proficient.” A prime example is the character Eliza. It is through Eliza that “ Some mothers mad society conform t maternal needs and expectations, rather than conform to social needs and expectations, rather than conform to social needs and expectations.” (Carney 17). Stowe also describes a certain duty in which all women are meant to fulfill ,that proves to be extremely impactful throughout society. For example, Mary tells her husband “ I can read my Bible, and there I see I must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the desolate; that Bible I mean to follow.”(85). Throughout the discussion Stowe is intent on describing to the readers that womanhood represents a power different from men. Hedrick portrays women and blacks as “ instruments of salvation” (319) Stowe stresses that women have the potential to break their social restrictions and influence not only their family, but society through their abolition of slavery. Throughout the novel Stowe uses a variety of characters to highlight the strengths of women and their impact on society, but Stowe