Uncle Tom’s Cabin
A Novel that Shaped America
Introduction and Thesis
Throughout history, there have been various novels and literature pieces that have influenced and shaped the course of the United States. Among the most influential novels in history, lies the highly regarded novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Although the book was published in the 1850s, its impact has prevailed and is still used in academics today. The novel was an inspiration for change in that period, but also portrays the value of standing up for what is wrong. In a real-life connection, Beecher Stowe, exposes the evils of slavery and the values encouraged from Christianity and voiced an influence for change.
About the Author
Known for her role in the abolitionist movement, Harriet Beecher Stowe, born on June 14, 1811, in Litchfield, Connecticut. She was born into a family in ministry, and at a young age, her mother passed away, and her father remarried. She was raised by her sister Catherine Beecher, the most significant influence in her life.
According to the website, Women’s History, her brilliance in writing was noticeable at a young age. She eventually grew up and became a teacher for a few years. In 1833, she published her first book, Primary Geography, which celebrated her experiences in different cultures. Her husband, Calvin Stowe, encouraged her writings, they had seven children, and she wrote many pieces of literature.
In 1849, her career and life “turning point” came from the death of her some from a cholera pandemic. It instilled compassion for the enslaved mothers, and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 enraged her. She was inspired to write her most notable novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, to defy the law and slavery as a whole. She helped the anti-slavery cause, even donated, and used her fame to “petition to end slavery.”
About the Book
The novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, published in March 1852, is the most recognized book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The book highlights the evil and exposed cruelty of slavery. It begins by narrating the struggle of Arthur Shelby, who is in great debt and is forced to sell some of his slaves. He and his wife, Emily Shelby, are known to be kindhearted with the slaves. They sell two slaves, Uncle Tom and the maid’s son, Harry. Eliza, the maid, and Harry decide to flee to the North, but the new owner, Mr. Haley, pursues them to prevent their freedom.
Uncle Tom is sold multiple times, but eventually grows a close relationship with a little white girl, Eva, the St. Clares’ daughter. She grows ill and passes away, St. Clare decides he wants to set Uncle Tom free, but before doing so, he dies from a stabbing wound. Instead, his wife sells Tom to a cruel slave owner, Simon Legree, he is known to abuse of the slaves. In his refusal to do evil, Legree orders overseers to beat Tom. Still, his vision of Christ and remembrance of Eva helps him through the “torments.” Tom encourages others to flee and again is ordered to receive a beating. Still, this time is left agonizing, even then, he forgives them of their evil doings. He dies a martyr’s death, and in his memory, George Shelby sets his slaves free.
The themes, evils of slavery, and the values of Christianity all set the novel in order and helped increase the influence in history. According to the website, Thought Co., she wrote the book in a way that gave a “moral message without alienating potential allies.” She focused on the traffic of slaves that separated families.
Legacy
The impact related to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel in American history is undoubtedly tremendous and tied to the Civil War. Although the author was not a slave and could not represent the first-person point of view, the setting and the actions experienced by the characters were surreal. The book defied the views of slavery and exposed the evil doings stemmed from slavery.
According to the website Thought Co., the novel helped influence the shift in attitude “to some degree,” which indirectly led to the abolitionist ideas. The themes portrayed in the book are visible even today, as they challenged the South; Southerners did not agree with the book and counterattacked with books to justify slavery. The novel caused a shift in popular opinion in the 1950s and helped Abraham Lincoln’s cause in the election of 1860. Although the book was not a direct cause of the Civil War, its impact is undoubtedly crucial to the change that took place.
The book’s popularity reached multiple nations but became highly controversial in some places. At one point became illegal in the South; they believed that Harriet Beecher Stowe was a liar and a villain.
Its impact on society was significant, even today, the book resonates with people, due to how real the experiences were portrayed. The website Thought Co., mentions that the book offers a “very personal and emotional” feeling and that it “resonated so deeply with Americans.” It helped set up the political atmosphere for 1860, and the anti-slavery cause. All in all, the book pulled through her intended impact on society, and society believed she had a crucial role in the fight against slavery.
Work Cited
McNamara, Robert. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin Made Slavery a Personal Issue for Millions.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 30 Apr. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/uncle-toms-cabin-help-start-civil-war-1773717.
Michals, Debra. “Harriet Beecher Stowe.” National Women’s History Museum, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-beecher-stowe.
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” SparkNotes, SparkNotes, www.sparknotes.com/lit/uncletom/summary/.