Three Scenes From Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
Please read this first.
Harriet Beecher Stowe sought to convince her audience through character development and emotion that slavery was evil and should be abolished. You are only reading selections from a much larger book, but hopefully you will gain a sense of her methods for persuading the reader to share her view that slavery was morally reprehensible. The linking element throughout the three selections is the character of Tom, who was sold from master to master. Millions read her work in the 1850s, so it is a significant piece of abolitionist literature from the pre-Civil War era.
Please answer the following questions in this format.
1. This reading is a primary source, published in 1852 by abolitionist Harriet Beecher Stowe. Why did an abolitionist writer include all three scenes in her story? Why did she include "kind" masters, and not just the clearly vile ones? Make sure your explanation connects to her end goal of convincing the reader that slavery is wong.
2. First Scene: Shelby Household. How does this scene convey the horrors of the slave trade?
3. Second Scene: St. Clare Household. How does this scene explore varying viewpoints on slavery? Who believes what about slavery?
4. Third Scene: Simon Legree. What message does Tom's sale to Simon Legree convey to the reader? What is the most powerful statement that reveals the author’s beliefs about the evils of the institution of slavery from this portion of the reading?
Chapter 8 Discussion
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Chapter 8 Discussion
Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist writer, included all three scenes in her story to persuade the reader to embrace her view regarding slavery and how it was morally reprehensible. The scenes are meant to infiltrate one’s emotions, compelling them to embrace the idea that slavery was wrong and should have been abolished. The presence of kind and vile masters is important in highlighting the atrocities. The kind masters are included because they are enablers of slavery, often granting their slaves some freedom while, at the same time, retaining the whole concept of slavery. Regardless of the trust the kind master offers, they are free to sell and manipulate their slave, thus ensuring the continuity of the vice.
The scene at Shelby’s household introduces an imminent slave trade, including objectifying a human being as a commodity that can fetch a lump sum of money. Shelby disrespectfully orders his slave, exposing him to inhumane practices. Sadly, he enjoys it, including compelling the slave to entertain him.
St Clare’...
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