Uncle Tom's Cabin, Part 2

There are so many things I want to talk about, I should first say that I have a totally new respect for this novel than I had before reading it. Maybe its pitiful that this is my first time reading UTC, but wow, did not expect to be moved in the manner I was by it.

To start, in one of the character analysis papers, someone wrote about Mr. Shelby's treatment of the slaves not being as respectable as it first appeared. On pg 261, Mrs. Shelby confronted her husband about straightening things out by selling property, horses etc instead of people. His response is to tell her she knows nothing of business. I was proud of her in that moment for speaking against what he was doing by presenting a logical alternative. It was just sad that his possessions were more important than human lives, even after his wife tried to identify more humane ways to deal with the past to honor a promise. The more Mrs. Shelby spoke, the more I rooted for her. She stated "It's only the morality of the Bible, Mr. Shelby" when addressing how she taught the slaves to commit to one person in marriage and her husband refuted that by stating she shouldn't have burdened them with a morality above their condition. Wow, what an arrogant thing to say. His comment in that era did cause me to consider the current opinion of marriage in modern times. His statement is often adopted by choice as many people CHOOSE to not burden themselves with morality in reference to marriage. Something meant to be a put down or insult all those years ago has morphed into an excusable "out" in today's society. Not by all, but so many, many people don't take marriage seriously. I wonder if they had their choices ripped away from them as slaves had if the sacred nature of marriage would be more evident verses convenient?

On page 269, words describing Eva's mature spirit were written. A portion of one sentence seemed to really stand out and personify more than her individual spirit but the spirit of the novel. "...for the seal of heaven is on it, and the light of immortality looks out from its eyes." Whether it was meant to or not, I interpreted that line as a blessing in the words of the book that honored the darkness of the story and the eventual triumph. Uncle Tom's Cabin does have the seal of heaven on it and immortality does shine through it. This novel has immense power almost 2 centuries later and will be timeless in its message to readers. God is honored in the writing and it speaks out for the good of humanity, as a reminder to present day people of where God has brought us from in our near past. That line just really spoke to MY spirit.

Eva's character really shown bright in the second half of the book. I was transfixed by her story. She was so perceptive and wise beyond her years. I believe the author used her child like faith and wisdom, to appeal to the sensibilities of the reader. On page 285 Eva asked,"Papa, isn't' there any way to have all slaves made free?" I appreciate that the author used a child to reinforce the morality of the slave issue. The purity of Eva's request was one of the most compelling moments for me in the novel. Shortly after this, evil reared it's ugly head again and once more, Marie St. Clare stunned me. Harriet Beecher Stowe really knew how to write the villains masterfully into the story line. Marie stated she would not trust the doctor that tended to Eva in her "critical" case. That behavior, not trusting the Doctor that took care of her dying child to see her, what a selfish perspective. Marie was both jealous of her daughter and habitually needing to "one up" her in each situation regarding her health. That Eva was such a sweet spirited child was a true blessing that Marie St. Clare wouldn't have even recognized to be thankful for. A final piece on Eva that just made me smile, on pg 296, she is talking about Jesus to the slaves gathered and she told them, "it is for you as much as me". Eva truly was a champion of equality. She and Tom together passed a torch that I gather greatly sparked a nation, or part of it anyway, to extend grace in a new way because of the hearts of these two beautifully written characters

I was surprised by the emotion evoked while reading the second half of the novel. I found it odd that I bawled when Eva died but was stone silent when Tom died. I considered it over and over, that Eva was a child and so forth but that wasn't really it. The redemptive nature of their deaths on others was touching, but that wasn't it either. All I can figure is by the time Tom died, I was numb and resolved to bitter outcomes. Ironically, I am sure that was one of the themes the author wanted to communicate, to create a more urgent awareness to rise above the numbness.

Another surprise to me was that by the novel's end, almost all the white characters ended up in the North and all the slaves ended up in Africa. It was an ending of homecomings. I guess there would be no where else that they could go to feel truly free.

The final thing that stands out is how heartbreaking it was to me that the slaves were set free
by Ms'r George but were terrified to embrace it. How sad that there dependence on slavery was the only thing they knew to cling to when offered what their souls longed for. To venture into their freedom was blinding to them. On pg 227, George told the freed slaves, "Think of your freedom, every time you see UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; and let it be a memorial to put you all in mind to follow in his steps, and be as honest and faithful and Christian as he was." I loved how George redeemed Uncle Tom's Cabin as a place of honor and remembrance instead of something degrading and shameful.

Some favorite moments for me in the novel:
-when Eliza and George reached the Canadian shore and knelt down and lifted up their hearts to God.
-when Beecher Stowe wrote in the concluding remarks, "These men and Christians cannot know what slavery is; if they did, such a question cold never be open for discussion."
(in reference to people remanding escaped fugitives back into slavery being debated in an 1850 legislative act)
-stated in the concluding remarks, "...beneath the shadow of American law, and the shadow of the cross of Christ." What a powerful statement, I had tried to elude to this in a previous blog but came no where near presenting the thought with such clarity as this statement did.