Contrast in Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Contrast in Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s nineteenth century novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, gives incredible insight into the injustice of slavery practiced throughout America during the Civil War era. The story follows two plots, that of a runaway slave fleeing for freedom in Canada, and that of a faithful Negro servant being sold and traded in the ruthless southern slave markets. It is not only the parallel plots, however, that offer a sense of contrast to the story. Through depicting the slavery opposing Christian values and morality, the distinction between racism in the North and racism in the South of the United States, and the characters’ differences of values and cynicism, contrast provides the book with an indisputable power to explore social morality of the time.

Contrast is most prominently used in Uncle Tom’s Cabin to illustrate the parallel between slavery and Christian values. Religion’s role demonstrates a source of hope for slaves, and contributes an ethical struggle to the theme of the story. Faith is depicted for the Negroes as their sole possession, their only hope in a country so readily accepting of their anguish. The representation of Negro faith is through protagonist Uncle Tom, an ethical man who surrenders himself, after the opportunity to escape, so that his profit may help his master. Ever trusting in the Lord, he is assured that he will always be protected. “There’ll be the same God there, Chloe, that there is here.” (Stowe, 95) His reluctance to renounce his religion ultimately leads to his persecution and death, however his piety remains an inspiration for other slaves. In contrast, for the Caucasian Americans, their religion and Christian values are the source of their struggle to overcome the social norms that oppose their beliefs. Miss Ophelia’s character is one that develops greatly throughout her role in the story, ultimately deciding to adopt a Negro child and raise her Christian.

“There is no use in my trying to make this child a Christian child, unless I save her from all the chances and reverses of slavery;” (288) Faith and religion offer persuasive opposition to the hardships of slavery throughout the book.

In addition, the story’s portrayal of racial notions varies greatly between the Northern and Southern states. The greatest contrast of region and background is the direction of the parallel plots. One notes that while Eliza’s escape takes her north to Canada and freedom, the trade of Uncle Tom brings him further south, to further oppression of his people. Miss Ophelia, the cousin of one of Tom’s masters, St. Clare, comes from the north, and despite her intolerance of African Americans, she opposes the treatment of Negro slaves, an observation her southerner cousin makes of her people.

“I have often noticed, in my travels north, how much stronger this was with you than with us. You loathe them as you would a snake or a toad, yet you are indignant at their wrongs. You would not have them abused, but you don’t want to have anything to do with them yourselves.” (Stowe, 171)

Stowe depicts the South as a ruthless place, supporting slave trading, oppression, and torment. Further north, as the region of Miss Ophelia’s origins, the situation improves slightly, oppression and abuse is less common, while there is a great hatred and intolerance of race. Continuing North leads to the tolerance and freedom for the African American race in Canada. The notion of variation between southern and northern attitudes about slaves is an outstanding contrasting theme.

Furthermore, throughout Uncle Tom’s Cabin, characters’ opinions emerge and develop as the struggle of slavery progresses. It is to be noted that the younger characters share new-age views, and through their innocence and purity of heart they display the inspired opinions uncommon to that society. The older characters tend to exhibit cynical attitudes that indicate they have been raised learning bitter deep-rooted ideas about human rights. Another contrast in characters is that women seem to be slightly more tolerant of the slaves, while their male counterparts are generally harsher in their treatment. Loving and tolerant characteristics are best represented through the lovely little Eva, daughter of St. Clare, who possesses views of an ideal Christian society, despite her youth and naivetй. Before her death, Eva displays her loving Christian views in a speech to the servants of her household, “I’m going to give you all a curl of my hair; and when you look at it, think that I loved you and am gone to heaven, and that I want to see you all there.” (Stowe, 271) The influence of tolerant characters helps mold the development of new ideas about slavery, contrasting those of the past.

Stowe offers a poignant last thought