uncle tome cabin
Gradually and imperceptible the strange, silent, patient man, who was ready to bear everyone else's burden, and who sought help from none,--who stood aside for all, and came last, and took least, yet was foremost to share his little all with any who needed,--the man who, in cold nights, would give up his tattered blanket to add to the comfort of some woman who shivered with sickness, and who filled the baskets of the weaker ones in the field, at the terrible risk of coming short in his own measure,--and who, though pursued with unrelenting cruelty by their common tyrant, never joined in uttering a word of reviling or cursing,--this man, at last, began to have a strange power over them..."
Which character does this passage literally describe? What is the figurative or allegorical reference of the preceding passage?
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What specific event precipitated the writing of Uncle Tom s Cabin?
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In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Stowe devotes several passages to descriptions of kitchens and cooking. What might have been the significance of such passages for nineteenth-century audiences (other than a straightforward interest in food!)? How do the various kitchens typify the various kinds of household economies and social attitudes examined in the novel? Identify three kitchens that are described in detail in the book, and explain how they match the traits of those households.
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At the time that Uncle Tom's Cabin was written (1852), many Southern slaveholders defended their "peculiar institution" by claiming that they treated their slaves kindly and indulgently. In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe depicts at least two slaveholders who treat their slaves with some kindness and are liked (to some extent) by the slaves. What plot twists does Stowe include to show that this sort of kindness is inadequate as a defense of slavery?
I think you must read the novel to find the answers to these questions. Who is this man who is so kind and generous? Who in mythology or religion does he resemble, giving of himself to those in need? What are the plot twists that demonstrate that treating slaves "kindly" doesn't excuse the fact that people are enslaved, treated as property, no matter how "kindly"? All of these questions can only be answered by someone who has read the book. The link I gave you a few minutes ago includes the Sparknotes analysis of the novel. That might be helpful, if you choose to read it.
In order to answer the first question about the character described in the passage, you can analyze the characteristics given in the passage. The passage describes a man who is silent, patient, selfless, and compassionate towards others. He is willing to sacrifice his own comfort for the well-being of others and does not seek any help for himself. He is also portrayed as someone who does not engage in cursing or reviling, even though he is subjected to cruelty. Based on these characteristics, the character being described in the passage is Uncle Tom.
As for the figurative or allegorical reference of the passage, it suggests that Uncle Tom possesses a rare power over others due to his selflessness and compassion. The passage implies that his actions and character have a profound impact on those around him, influencing them towards a better understanding and empathy for one another.
Moving on to the second question, the writing of Uncle Tom's Cabin was precipitated by a specific event. Harriet Beecher Stowe's motivation for writing the novel was largely influenced by the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. This law required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had reached free states. Stowe was deeply horrified by the law and the injustices it perpetuated, leading her to write Uncle Tom's Cabin as a form of protest against slavery and as a means to humanize the experiences of enslaved individuals.
Now, let's tackle the third question about the significance of kitchen descriptions in Uncle Tom's Cabin. In the novel, the passages dedicated to kitchens and cooking serve more than just a straightforward interest in food. They provide insight into the various household economies and social attitudes explored in the book. The different kitchens in the novel represent different types of households and their corresponding values and treatment of slaves.
Three kitchens that are described in detail in the book are the kitchen of the Shelby household, the kitchen on Legree's plantation, and the kitchen of the St Clair household.
In the Shelby household, the kitchen is depicted as a place where the slaves are treated with relative kindness and decency. The emphasis is on the benevolent treatment of slaves, with Mrs. Shelby being portrayed as a compassionate slaveowner. This kitchen exemplifies a relatively more moderate and "enlightened" household economy that exists within the scope of slavery.
On the other hand, the kitchen on Legree's plantation portrays a harsher and crueler environment. The slaves are mistreated and their well-being is disregarded. The focus is on the oppressive and inhumane treatment of slaves, highlighting the brutality and immorality of slavery.
Lastly, the kitchen of the St Clair household demonstrates a different aspect of slavery. Despite the wealth and social standing of the household, the treatment of slaves is depicted as detached and indifferent. The kitchen represents a more apathetic and neglectful household economy, with slaves being seen as property rather than individuals deserving of care and compassion.
The various kitchens in the novel thus serve to illustrate the range of attitudes and treatment towards slaves in different types of households, shedding light on the complex social dynamics of the time.
Moving on to the fourth question, Uncle Tom's Cabin addresses the defense of slavery by portraying slaveholders who treat their slaves with some kindness. However, Harriet Beecher Stowe includes several plot twists to show that this sort of kindness is inadequate as a defense of slavery.
One plot twist is the character of Augustine St. Clair, who is initially depicted as a sympathetic and relatively kind slaveholder. However, his character arc reveals his moral weakness and his ultimate failure to take a stand against the institution of slavery. Despite his individual acts of kindness towards some slaves, he ultimately perpetuates the system and its injustices.
Another plot twist is the character Simon Legree, who is initially introduced as a brutal and cruel slaveholder. He represents the extreme end of the spectrum, where kindness is completely absent. This character demonstrates the inherent cruelty and violence that underlie the institution of slavery and shows that even the absence of kindness does not justify or defend slavery.
Through these plot twists and the portrayal of different slaveholders, Stowe challenges the notion that occasional acts of kindness can absolve or justify the fundamentally oppressive and dehumanizing nature of slavery. She highlights the systemic and pervasive nature of slavery and argues against the defense of the "kind" slaveholder as a means to justify the institution.