Uncle Tom's Cabin
By Harriet Beecher Stowe
To me this book perfectly depicted life in our country just preceding the Civil War, specifically concerning slavery and all that it entailed. I felt so connected to all of the characters, and this book brought out a whole gamut of emotions within me: happy, sad, frustrated, angry, etc. I have wanted to read this book for several years because it is a classic in American literature; other than that I didn’t know much else about the book. The particular edition I picked up from the library was really helpful; it had a section in the back of the book with “explanatory notes” that helped make the text clearer and more easily understood. It is a legend that this book was what started the Civil War, and after reading it I can completely understand how that happened! She writes in such a way as to make people think about their own role in letting slavery happen. I could picture both Southerners and Northerners alike reading this story (it was first printed a section at a time in an anti-slavery newspaper from 1851-1852) and having it take hold on their hearts and forcing them to contemplate their actions and instigate change.
I always
thought that Ms. Stowe was a black woman who was brave enough to write an anti-slavery novel. But no, she was a white woman living in the free states who, after the passage of the Slave Act of 1850 (requiring all citizens to aid in the return of runaway slaves to their owners or be held accountable by law), she decided to do something. I wonder how American history would be different if Ms. Stowe would never have written her novel. At some points in her book, she writes with such cynicism and mockery of the system but she does it in such a way that you have to laugh. She was a brave woman to voice her opinion the way she did!
This is a Christian novel, and Ms. Stowe uses scriptures from the Bible and popular hymns of that time throughout the text to showcase the Christian spirit of her characters. I thought it was interesting how both slave-holders and abolitionists alike used the Bible to plead their side. It reminded me of people today, who may manipulate the meaning of scripture to fit their own lifestyle and fancies. Another thought that came to my mind as I read was the parallel that can be drawn from their time to present day. In the 1850’s, the vast majority of people thought that slavery was okay; and because of the integrity and persistence of those who knew what was right, eventually slavery was abolished. Satan will always be there trying to “claim the hearts of men” in any way he can. Back then it was with slavery and the idea that certain races are better than others. Today, he uses other tactics, and it is up to those in the minority to continue to stand up for what is right.
Who knew you could draw so much from a book about slavery?! All kinds of stuff comes to my mind when I read, it’s kind of funny the stuff that I chew over when I’m reading for fun.
I always
thought that Ms. Stowe was a black woman who was brave enough to write an anti-slavery novel. But no, she was a white woman living in the free states who, after the passage of the Slave Act of 1850 (requiring all citizens to aid in the return of runaway slaves to their owners or be held accountable by law), she decided to do something. I wonder how American history would be different if Ms. Stowe would never have written her novel. At some points in her book, she writes with such cynicism and mockery of the system but she does it in such a way that you have to laugh. She was a brave woman to voice her opinion the way she did!This is a Christian novel, and Ms. Stowe uses scriptures from the Bible and popular hymns of that time throughout the text to showcase the Christian spirit of her characters. I thought it was interesting how both slave-holders and abolitionists alike used the Bible to plead their side. It reminded me of people today, who may manipulate the meaning of scripture to fit their own lifestyle and fancies. Another thought that came to my mind as I read was the parallel that can be drawn from their time to present day. In the 1850’s, the vast majority of people thought that slavery was okay; and because of the integrity and persistence of those who knew what was right, eventually slavery was abolished. Satan will always be there trying to “claim the hearts of men” in any way he can. Back then it was with slavery and the idea that certain races are better than others. Today, he uses other tactics, and it is up to those in the minority to continue to stand up for what is right.
Who knew you could draw so much from a book about slavery?! All kinds of stuff comes to my mind when I read, it’s kind of funny the stuff that I chew over when I’m reading for fun.
