In Uncle Tom's Cabin, Stowe makes her intention very clear. Her writing style actively urges the reader to take action against slavery, particularly the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. From the beginning of the novel, Stowe references the law and the difficulties it ensues. In Chapter I, she writes, "but over and above the scene there broods a portentous shadow - the shadow of law. So long as the law considers all these human beings, with beating hearts and living affections, only as so many things belonging to a master, - so long as the failure or misfortune or imprudence, or death of the kindest owner, may cause them any day to exchange a life of kind protection and indulgence for one of hopeless misery and toil, - so long it is impossible to make anything beautiful or desirable in the best regulated administration of slavery" (813). This quote demonstrates Stowe's clear disagreement with the law, as she views it as a primary component hindering abolition. Because Stowe does not portray all slave masters as evil and wicked, the novel can be seen as an attack on the law rather than the individual.
Later on in the novel, Senator Bird is described as "a man who had a particularly humane and accessible nature" (830). These positive descriptions reinforce the idea that people are inherently good-natured, and the institution of slave laws inhibits this. In the beginning of Chapter IX, the Senator defends his decision to pass the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and tries to justify it with Mrs. Bird. However, when a runaway slave actually comes to him, he cannot turn her away. The fact that the Senator sympathizes with the runaway slaves and helps them, but does not actually create any change to the law, further demonstrates a sense of urgency that Stowe aims to convey to the reader. Though he helped pass the law, he is unable to resist aiding a helpless runaway, emphasizing the immorality of the law. Stowe uses the Senator to exemplify someone who knows that these laws are unjust and wrong, but cannot bring himself to openly go against it, which is possibly very similar to the 19th-century reader.
I agree with your presumption that Stowe is actively urging her readers to take action against slavery, and your examples certainly solidify this claim. I would just like to add that the most tragic moments occur as a direct result of neglecting to take action in ending slavery. One example is Legree's brutal treatment of Tom which is the direct result of St. Clare neglecting to make arrangements to free his slaves before his death. Perhaps Stowe is insinuating that this action must take place immediately, or else the consequences will be increasingly tragic.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteYou make some great observations in your post, and I particularly am intrigued by how human Stowe makes some of the slave owners (like St. Clare) and other prominent white men in her novel. Abolitonists in other anti-slavery texts often come across as hateful and extremely resentful of these figures (as they arguably should be), but Stowe still reminds us of the social and political repercussions for those who chose to defy this institution at this point in history- which exposes the reality of these circumstances. Stowe's decision to make the Senator hesitate in aiding in political change on the abolition front, as you point out, is an example of this.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!
Ali