I had heard of Uncle Tom’s Cabin when I was young but only read it a few years ago. Though I don’t read as much now, my interest was piqued by two facts: it was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and second only to the Bible in overall sales. I knew it was famous, but I didn’t realize its immense impact on the U.S. and the world. Abraham Lincoln once greeted the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, saying, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.” After hearing that, I knew I had to read it.
The novel focuses on the life of Uncle Tom, a black slave known for his strong Christian faith and integrity. The story traces his journey after being sold by an owner in Kentucky who was kind but financially struggling; where Tom lived with his family in a place referred to as Uncle Tom’s Cabin. As he was bought and sold by various owners, the treatment he received became increasingly harsher as he moved further South, eventually reaching Louisiana. Despite experiencing severe mistreatment, Tom maintained his Christian faith and remained hopeful about reuniting with his family.
When I finished Uncle Tom’s Cabin, I thought Tom was the strongest man in literature I had ever read about because of his never-broken value system in the face of endless adversity. I also knew that calling someone “Uncle Tom” was not considered a compliment in today’s age. I know an African American well enough that I knew we could have an honest discussion about Uncle Tom. Neither of us are shy about discussing racial issues, and we do our best to see the other’s perspective. Not surprisingly, she disagreed with my assessment but said with a smile, “I can see how a white person would.” She viewed Uncle Tom as overly submissive, and her negatory view was that he was perceived as excessively subservient to authority figures. I disagree somewhat because he was offered to be an overlord, a job he refused. After all, beating his own was out of the question. He received the ultimate demise because of his strong will, which infuriated the owner. But I can see it her way as well. Like she said, “I can see how a white person would.” (Admire Uncle Tom.)
Harriet Beecher Stowe effectively exposed the evils of slavery by depicting its inhumanity through the detailed physical and emotional suffering of enslaved individuals, presenting it as a moral evil that degrades both the enslaved and the enslaver. Utilizing her considerable literary talent, Stowe personalized the plight of the enslaved, making it difficult for the public to disregard the human cost of this institution. The popularity of Uncle Tom’s Cabin significantly contributed to the abolitionist movement, transforming many previously indifferent individuals into passionate advocates for the cause.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is renowned for its groundbreaking contribution to social protest literature. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s use of melodrama and sentimentalism played a crucial role in advocating for social change, effectively engaging readers’ emotions by depicting African American characters as complex individuals with dignity, humanity, and moral agency. Its legacy continues to this day, solidifying its place as a seminal work in the canon of American literature and a powerful reminder of the potential of literature to drive social transformation.
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