Uncle Tom’s Cabin

By Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is a groundbreaking novel that exposes the brutality of slavery in the 19th century. Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the novel employs a range of literary devices to evoke empathy and outrage from its readers, including vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and emotional appeals. Through its compelling narrative and unforgettable characters, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” played a crucial role in shaping public opinion on slavery and helped to ignite the abolitionist movement.

Themes 📚

1. Slavery – The novel is primarily concerned with the institution of slavery and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. Stowe depicts the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery through the experiences of characters like Uncle Tom and Eliza.
2. Religion and Morality – Stowe uses religious and moral language throughout the novel to critique the practice of slavery and to argue for the humanity and dignity of all people. Characters like Uncle Tom and Eva embody these values, while other characters, such as Simon Legree, represent their opposite.
3. Family and Community – The novel emphasizes the importance of family and community ties, particularly in the face of the disruptions and trauma caused by slavery. Characters like George Harris and Eliza risk everything to protect their families, while Uncle Tom finds solace and support in his relationships with other enslaved people.
4. Race and Identity – Stowe explores the ways in which race shapes identity and experience in the United States. She shows how the system of slavery creates and reinforces racial categories, while also emphasizing the diversity and complexity of black experiences.
5. Gender and Sexuality – The novel touches on issues of gender and sexuality, particularly in relation to the experiences of enslaved women. Characters like Cassy and Emmeline are subjected to sexual violence and exploitation, while other women, such as Mrs. Shelby, find ways to resist and subvert the gender norms of their society.
6. Power and Resistance – Finally, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” depicts the power dynamics of slavery and the various forms of resistance that enslaved people use to challenge and undermine that power. Characters like Uncle Tom and George Harris exhibit different kinds of resistance, from quiet endurance to active rebellion, while the novel as a whole encourages readers to join in the struggle against slavery and oppression.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Imagery – Stowe uses vivid descriptions to create powerful and memorable images that convey the emotional and physical realities of slavery. For example, the image of Eliza leaping across the frozen river with her child emphasizes the desperation and danger of her situation.
2. Symbolism – The novel makes use of symbolic objects, characters, and events to represent abstract concepts or themes. For example, Uncle Tom himself can be seen as a symbol of the inherent goodness and dignity of enslaved people, while the character of Eva represents Christian charity and compassion.
3. Irony – Stowe employs irony to highlight the hypocrisy and injustice of the slaveholding society. For example, the benevolent and paternalistic Mr. Shelby is ultimately responsible for selling Uncle Tom and separating families.
4. Foreshadowing – The novel employs foreshadowing to hint at future events or to build suspense. For example, the ominous presence of Simon Legree early in the novel foreshadows the terrible fate that awaits Uncle Tom.
5. Allusion – Stowe makes use of references to other works of literature or cultural artifacts to enrich the meaning of her story. For example, the character of Uncle Tom can be seen as a Christ-like figure, while the scene in which Eliza escapes across the river alludes to the biblical story of Moses.
6. Flashback – The novel uses flashbacks to provide background information about characters and events. For example, the story of Tom’s life before he was sold to the Shelbys is told through a series of flashbacks.
7. Personification – Stowe personifies abstract concepts or inanimate objects to create vivid and memorable descriptions. For example, she describes the darkness of slavery as a “dreadful and stunned gloom.”
8. Dialogue – The novel uses dialogue to reveal character, advance the plot, and convey ideas. Stowe’s use of dialect and regional accents also adds to the realism and authenticity of her characters’ speech.
9. Motif – The novel employs recurring motifs or patterns to reinforce its themes and ideas. For example, the motif of the broken heart is used to emphasize the emotional trauma and suffering endured by enslaved people.
10. Parallelism – Stowe uses parallelism to draw comparisons or contrasts between different characters or situations. For example, the fate of Tom and that of the escaped slave woman Cassy are juxtaposed to highlight the different forms of resistance and survival used by enslaved people.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
Uncle Tom’s Cabin	The cabin itself symbolizes the oppression of slavery, as well as the kindness and humility of Uncle Tom, who remains a faithful Christian despite the harsh conditions he faces.
Eva’s Golden Hair	Eva’s golden hair symbolizes her innocence, purity, and angelic nature. Her character serves as a foil to the cruelty and injustice of slavery.
The Mississippi River	The Mississippi River symbolizes both freedom and danger. For some characters, like Eliza, crossing the river represents their escape to freedom, while for others, like Tom, it signifies the harsh reality of being sold further south.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Eva’s illness	Eva’s illness is foreshadowed early in the novel, hinting at her eventual death and its impact on the characters and their views on slavery.
Tom’s visions of heaven	Tom’s visions of heaven foreshadow his eventual martyrdom and reunion with Eva in the afterlife.
Eliza’s dream of escape	Eliza’s dream of escaping foreshadows her daring flight across the ice-choked Ohio River and her eventual journey to freedom.

3. Irony

Example	Explanation
Tom’s faithfulness to his masters	Despite being a slave, Tom remains loyal to his masters, even when they mistreat him. This is ironic because Tom’s Christian faith, which inspires his loyalty, is supposed to be a force for good, yet it keeps him in bondage.
The Fugitive Slave Law	The novel highlights the irony of the Fugitive Slave Law, which sought to protect the rights of slave owners while denying basic human rights to the enslaved.
The contrast between Augustine St. Clare and Simon Legree	St. Clare and Legree represent opposite ends of the spectrum of slave owners, with St. Clare being kind and somewhat sympathetic to the plight of the enslaved, while Legree is brutal and sadistic. The irony lies in the fact that both men ultimately perpetuate the institution of slavery.

4. Allegory

Example	Explanation
The character of Uncle Tom	Uncle Tom’s character is an allegory for the suffering of African American slaves and the strength of their Christian faith amidst extreme hardship.
The character of Eva	Eva serves as an allegorical figure representing the innocence and purity of the antislavery movement, as well as the hope for change and redemption.
The character of Simon Legree	Simon Legree’s character represents the brutality and dehumanizing aspects of slavery, as well as the moral decay of those who perpetuate the institution.

5. Parallelism

Example	Explanation
Eliza and George’s escape	The parallel stories of Eliza and George’s escapes from slavery serve to emphasize the importance of family and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their loved ones.
Tom and Eva’s deaths	The deaths of Tom and Eva are parallel events that serve to underscore the tragedy and injustice of slavery. Both characters die as a result of the institution, albeit in different ways.
The portrayal of different slave owners	The novel features a range of slave owners with varying attitudes towards their slaves, from the kind-hearted St. Clare to the brutal Legree. This parallelism highlights the different ways in which the institution of slavery corrupts and degrades individuals.

FAQs 💭