The Inhumanity Of Industrialism In Uncle Tom's Cabin: What Is Slavery?

As a major component of American history, slavery built the United States up economically before the popularization of industrialism; while, it devalued the laborers. (Credo slavery) The documentation of this became crucial to the abolition of the institution. Much of the period was recounted in slave narratives written by freed or escaped slaves. Narratives were used to raise African Americans from the stereotypes forced upon them and expose the cruel nature of slavery (Powerpoint). The elevation of slaves and the degrading images of slave owners would have battled the ignorance of the time. As slavery is now illegal, ignorance has lost. Major political and literary figures and former slaves were major warriors in this battle. The most famous …show more content…
The novel displayed the inhumanity of slavery and the strategies to build a stronger nation. She, particularly uses the development of characters throughout the story to show the different personalities in a society with slavery. The protagonist of the novel, Tom, is extremely kind and selfless withstanding slavery for religious purposes. He uses his deep belief to support others, while also keeping himself strong in hard times (Textbook). Stowe uses Tom as a representation of how society should act regardless of race. Stowe presents that slave owners act out of selfishness and hatred, rather than thinking of their enslaved employees. Another prominent figure in Stowe’s writings is Ophelia St. Clare. Ophelia is described as racist, but opposes slavery. Ophelia is sent to tutor a slave named Topsy. This forced interaction seems to provide Ophelia with a change of heart as she starts to enjoy Topsy’s company (Textbook). This representation of time spent to extinguish ignorance displays how people can and should participate with each other. Through Ophelia’s actions, Stowe suggests that those who don’t know are quick to judge and, at times, quick to act in fear or selfishness. With a different point of view on slavery, Stowe presents St. Clare. He is not prejudice against blacks, but does feel he has no right to oppose slavery. Similarly, Mr. Shelby is in debt, but …show more content…
Frederick Douglass, as an abolitionist and orator, excellently wrote his narrative from birth to freedom leaving little, except his route of escape, to the imagination. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass serves as a primary account including his opinions and observation of the institution of slavery. In the first few sentences, Douglass displays the lack of privilege to knowledge by slaves. “I have no accurate knowledge of my age…the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs.” (Textbook) The quote declares that slaves were not taught their birthdays and likely didn’t have the birthdays to remind them of their age. Documentation and knowledge of exact age is a known quality of human life, suggesting slaves were viewed as less human than their white counterparts. Douglass also makes a comparison of human knowledge to a horse’s. Further proving the view of slaves, from the slave owners’ perspectives, as non-humans breed to