Essays on Uncle Tom

Question 1: Initial Post

The books Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl written by Harriet Jacobs and Blake; or the Huts of America (1859–1861) by Katy L. Chiles extensively compares in the themes, especially the plight of slaves during the antebellum period. Keckley’s is an autobiographical non-fiction narrative that describes her childhood experiences and her plight as a woman slave. At the age of 14, Keckley is raped by a white man and gives birth to a son, George. Mrs. Burwell, on the other hand, encourages Mr. Bingman, the schoolmaster to physically abuse her in order to suppress her ...

In its support of the slavery system, the government of the United States utilized the law. In other words, the federal government either passed legislations to thwart any threats made against the institution of slavery or persecuted individuals for failing to adhere to the same. A perfect illustration of the given claims revolves around the actions of political leaders and the States’ harsh responses to calls for liberation during the Antebellum Era. In Howard Zinn’s words, the government allowed whites to use “the laws, courts, [and] armed forces” to restrict persons of African descent to the lowest class ...

The Civil War which lasted from 1861-1865 was caused by a number of factors. Most of the reasons for the Civil War were economic, political and social. The economic reasons for the Civil War were as follows. The economic disparities between the North and the South. The South had a plantation system that consisted of growing numerous crash crops including tobacco, indigo and cotton which were extremely profitable and depended on slave labor. The North’s economy was more industrialized which meant that it depended more on people working together rather than a class system. An economic-political reason for ...

Introduction

Cultural memories, as well as cultural identity, are two closely related phenomena that are part of every cultural setting in the world, are assimilated amongst generations in unique ways. Cultural memory entails the elements (Stowe, 1982); both physical and virtual those are passed down generations and are a way of giving historical meanings or origins of certain cultures. Literary publications, such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, sought to change how cultural memory and cultural identity were perceived, regarding the African American culture. Therefore, cultural memories occur in different forms. For example, an individual from a given culture may have ...

There are many interesting personalities in the history of humankind. Some of them amaze more than the others. There are people who have a strong will to be free and live their life independent from the others. These people are known as leaders. They create their own lives the way they see it. Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe are two characters that amaze people till now with their abilities to be strong in any life situation. Frederick Douglass is an African American man who managed to become free by the means of his self power. He was not ...

Fugitive Slave Act was a couple of federal legislations that allowed for the incarceration and return of runaway fugitives within the territory of the US. Initially, the Congress enacted the Fugitive Slave Act in 1793 that empowered the local governments to capture and return the slaves who have escaped from their owners and impose penalties to people who aided the escape of the slaves. The extensive resistance to the 1973 legislation later spurred the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.The new law further complicated issues by imposing harsher punishments for the people who were interfering with the ...

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LIST THE COURSE LIST THE DATE THE ESSAY IS FILED The Abolition of Slavery Introduction Historians evaluate in several ways the distinctions and similarities of the North and South just before the Civil War. The North’s population was 50 percent more than the South’s. Blacks comprised just over one percent of the North’s population while about 95 percent of Southern blacks were slaves. The North emphasized manufacturing and commercial enterprises while the South focused on agricultural development, mostly with the labor of slaves (Pessen 1121). This essay discusses topics related to the important issue of slavery ...

Literature is often touted as one of the best weapons that bring out a change in society. The novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin that was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe can perhaps help explain that because it is a piece of work that brought out the evils of the 19th century with regard to slavery and the unequal treatment of African Americans in the United States. The protagonist of the story, Uncle Tom, is sold from the Shelby farm to a slave trader and down the Mississippi River, he sails a way in a riverboat. During his days on ...

Industrialization in America, 1876-1900

In the late 1800’s, the world witnessed an unprecedented migration of people from all over the world to America. This movement was occasioned by the search for jobs, escape from famines, escape from political and religious oppressions, increased taxes among other host of causes from the immigrant’s homelands as Gereffi and Wyman (1860-1876) documents. These massive immigration was due to the fact that America, at the time, was considered a land of opportunity. America at the time also witnessed a massive rural to urban migration. The pictures below illustrate this massive population explosion in America in the ...

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Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin through the Eyes of Popular Culture and Religion

[Introduction] Popular culture and religion have the same thing in common: symbols. Symbols are an inherited system of notions that express in representation forms a people’s “knowledge about and attitude towards life” (Geertz 89). Being symbols, their meanings are defined by people in accordance to their popular culture or religion. Consequently, these symbols can get shared between popular culture and religion; while their meanings change (enhanced or diminished) in accordance to the strength of cultural or religious influence upon them. Meanwhile, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin or Life among ...

An Analysis of Richard Wright’s Blueprint for Negro Writing (1937)

An African-American literary icon, Richard Wright was born in 1908 and died in 1960 (Wallach; Wright, “Uncle Tom’s” 882). Growing up in America during the early 20th century, Wright witnessed the great oppression experienced by the African-American community in that time, instilling in him the strong desire to write for his race and struggles associated with racism in America (Wallach; Wright, “Uncle Tom’s” 882). Writing various literary pieces that talked about African-American oppression and strife for freedom and equality, Wright became a literary icon and a pride of ...

The Southern and the Northern portions of the United States developed in different fashions. The North developed in the line of industrialization while the Southern section remained predominantly an agrarian economy. This means that there were different beliefs and cultures in the two sections. Disagreements were bound to happen. The disagreements were in the line of tariffs, taxes, federal rights as well as state rights. The civil war was inevitable.

After Eli Whitney had developed the invented the cotton gin, the Southern part developed in another different perspective from the northern part. There were a number of concerns that ...

Throughout the history, there have been noteworthy literacy movements, many of which have been over and done. Two of the most important literacy movements throughout the time have been transcendentalism and romanticism.

Transcendentalism was a literacy form in the 19th century. Under this literacy form, many writers have contributed in its movement. Among the major pioneers in this literacy form include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Bronson Alcott Theodore Parker. Based on the works of these great transcendentalists I will elucidate the differences that exist between Romanticism and Transcendentalism.

Romanticism draws outs strong feelings and demonstrates significant actions. It is about a ...

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow a successful American poet whose works carry a lot of sentimentalism. Sentimentalism is the act of stimulating tender emotional responses towards a given work of art that are not really due that work. Wadsworth successfully brings out this aspect especially in A Psalm of Life. “ tell me not in mournful numbers, life is but an empty dream (Longfellow n.p).” The two lines bring out a sense of hopelessness that there is no much meaning to life no matter how hard we attempt to live. Wadsworth was trying to show human beings the vagueness in life and the need ...

1. a. The Democratic Party must address the following question: How to protect slavery and rights of people to possess slaves? b. By this statement the Platform means that the rights of the citizens to possess slaves are protected even in the Northern parts, which are called United States, on the premises where natives are living as well as on the expanding territories of the country c. The article three states that the rights of citizens to possess slaves are protected in every state and territory, and this is issue is controlled by the General Government ...

Harriet, the writer of the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” tries to bring out the evil in slavery in the society and tries to bring it out when the conditions were smoothest for the black man. In fact, the slavery was full of evils in the smoothest moments as per the black man’s view and it can only be imagined in the worst conditions that the black man underwent a nightmare. As Stowe depicts in her account, the slave holders were full of animosity as they would snatch the blacks at unsuspecting times and sell him or her for ...

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Before the American Civil War of 1861-1865, tensions were high between the Northern and Southern states. Said tension found basis on the issue of slavery with the Southerners being pro-slavery and Northerners anti-slavery. Consequently, an abolitionist movement rose from the North and led to the development of the “Underground Railroad”. Despite its name, the “Underground Railroad” encompassed hidden houses, paths, and code words that the anti-slavery forces utilized in helping blacks escape to Free states and Canada where there was no slavery. Expectedly, such actions led to the retaliation of the ...

I choose to take Martin Luther King Jr. on a vacation back in history between 1800 and 1860 because of his passionate advocacy skills regarding the African-American civil rights. His non-violence approach to advance the civil rights based on Christian values was very effective. The fact that he began his activism in an early age and enjoyed a fanatical following from his followers is enough evidence that he would lead reforms such as ending segregation and slave trade early enough. The three places that I will go back are Ohio, Missouri, and California. I will go to Ohio in 1802 ...

Uncle Tom's Cabin is written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The book describes an important era of human history that amazingly pushes the readers to a next thoughtful level. The novel is hugely ascribed with intensifying civic consciousness regarding the harms and iniquities of slavery. The text takes the readers through a sentimental but realistic journey of slavery, which degraded the human etiquette in the corresponding time. Her attributions reveal the relations and associations of the Civil War. Literary importance of the book is quite well addressed but the prose is not of a higher quality. It is not atrocious but, it is ...

The story Uncle Tom’s Cabin begins when Arthur Shelby, a slaveowner in Kentucky, has to sell Harry and Uncle Tom, two slaves, to pay off a debt. However, Harry’s mother is Shelby’s wife servant, and she warns them. Harry’s mother, Eliza, flees over the Ohio River, chased by the trader who had purchased her son. Sympathetic people help her, and she makes for the Canadian border. Meanwhile, Uncle Tom saves a white girl named Eva from drowning, and her father purchases Uncle Tom from the trader in gratitude. It is the relationship that Eva and Tom form that ...

Henry Clay was born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1777 at a time when the American colonies were still engaged in a Revolutionary War for independence with Great Britain. The young Virginian would develop a deep love and respect for the concept of a United States that would lead him to become the greatest compromiser and one of the most pivotal figures of 19th century American history. Clay’s notable accomplishments include his status as one of the founding members of the Whig Party and his conception of the American System of economics (Bordewich, 2009). Above all of his ideologies though, Clay firmly ...

What is the Influence of Romantic Literature on Slavery, Abolition and Emancipation?

The Romantic period will go down in history as the period when a lot of events took place across the world. Peter Kitson and Fulford (1998), co-editors of Romanticism and Colonialism: Writing and empire, 1780 - 1830, have put together the writings of a number of writers who sought to debate on the Romantic Movement in relationship with colonialism. The Romantic period witnessed a number of momentous events which included, the “loss of the Americas, the French Revolution, the abolition of slavery, and the turn to the east signalled by the British Empire’s expansionism policy.” Therefore, they argue, most of the ...

Harriet Beecher Stowe always believed that the entire American race should look up to mothers as an example, and that only women could save America from slavery. Perhaps that is why novel is overflowing with mothers, including many major and minor characters, such as Aunt Chloe, Cassy, Eliza, Madame de Thoux, Marie St. Clare, Mrs. Bird, and Mrs. Shelby. Even the unmarried Miss Ophelia becomes somewhat of a surrogate mother to her slave Topsy. The deceased mothers of Augustine St. Clare and Simon Legree are also frequently mentioned in the novel. Even Stowe was a mother and after lost her son ...

Compare and contrast "12 years a slave" (the movie) with Uncle Tom's Cabin ( The story). This needs to be an argumentative paper with a clearly stated thesis supported by appropriate examples. ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ is an excellent film portraying the trials and tribulations of Solomon Northrup who is a free negro living in New York but who is eventually abducted to go an live in Louisiana as a slave. Although there are similarities with Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the story takes a slightly different turn and we get to observe the intricate goings on between the inherent racism of the whites in Louisiana ...

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Abstract

The American Civil War (1861-1865) was mainly caused by different views on the issue of slavery among the Southern and Northern States. Democracy has four institutions that seek to influence outcomes that dictate democracy. They all revolve around freedom and citizenship of an identified people. Before the war, America was not a democratic state as slaves were considered property and not citizens of America. The Dred Scott vs. Sanford decision dictates these factors regarding slaves. When the pro-slavery states are defeated, America sees the start of a democracy in the country. The Emancipation Proclamation was the first step towards a ...

Beloved is a lyrical masterpiece authored by renowned and award-winning American writer, Toni Morrison. American has a long and complicated history. Since its inception, the country has undergone metamorphosis from one epoch to another. Some of these epochsare more significant to an American than others. The Civil War of 1861-1865 was one of the critical ones. The institution of slavery was still prevalent and acceptable within the American society. Moreover, women were viewed as inferior to men and the society held the view that a woman place was in the kitchen. In is in this historical context that Morrison decided to tell a ...

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Paper Outline Thesis statement - The Compromise of 1850 - Texas becomes a Southern State and the Mexican War ends. - Popular sovereignty is approved by Congress. - Slavery is the major cause of tension between the two sides. - Abolitionists begin war against slavery. - The Fugitive Slave Act angers the Northern states. - Abolitionists use the “Underground Railroad” to help slaves escape. - The release of Uncle Tom’s Cabin causes more tension between the two regions. - Congress approves ...

Summary (Chapters 1 to 16) of The American Fugitive in Europe

Summary The American Fugitive in Europe is a presentation of the accounts of American abolitionist William Wells Brown on his experiences in travelling to Europe. An emancipated slave, Wells Brown has become notable for his anti-slavery lectures and known to be one of the most influential abolitionists of his time. The departure of Wells Brown from the United States (US) to the United Kingdom (UK) in 1849 came as a circumstance for him to spread his lectures abroad. Yet, the prolonged stay of Wells Brown abroad came resulting from his sudden label as a fugitive. Wells Brown thus wrote said book ...

Shelby, Legree and St Clare were once slave owners of tom, and they had an important contact on Tom in that both played a big role in building Tom’s faith and his hopes in God whenever he started doubting himself. Likewise, it’s clear that at times Tom got on their nerves, by the way he reacted but none of them manages to change Tom’s personality in a negative way. Both St Clare and Shelby are kind and honest to Tom all through; they treat him in a genuine manner despite him being a slave (Henson, 21): Both of them ...

Unlike many Novels, Uncle Tom Novel played a major role in worldview of slaves and slavery while others went un- advertised. A few of these reviews limited themselves to defending the south from what appeared as Stowe's unfair attacks triggering war and the end of slavery. It also played key role in shaping American’s literature as it had a big influence on several writers. The novel high lightened the plight of slaves, slavery and the laws set against those aided slave’s run-away, crusader of anti-slavery and advocacy of slave rights. The book draws Tom as a black slave whose is ...

The Compromise of 1850 was a sequence of give-and-take measures presented for approval before the U.S Congress, on January 29th 1850. It is made up of five laws voted for in September 20th, 1850 that were geared towards achieving specific goals. On December 3rd 1849, California put a request to join the Union under the banner of a free state. This was a disastrous move that had serious repercussions in that it could have upset the delicate balance that existed between those states that condoned slavery and those that did not. The Senator from Kentucky, Henry Clay brought to house a series of decrees ...

The root causes of the Civil War can be traced back to the foundation of the country. When the Constitution was written, there were some men that wanted slavery to be banned at that point, but other representatives stated that they would refuse to sign the document if that provision was included. Therefore, the entire topic was just avoided in the document. The differences between the North and South continued to create a great divide, and the rift grew through the mid-1800s. The economic and social differences between the North and South were great, and the disparity grew as the ...

The theme on social change as depicted by Pancake is painted in a form of negativity. The social change in this novel has affected the lives of a minority in the novel. Pancake has used art in writing to sensitize on the issue of disregard of the minority populations. The population in this novel is exposed to ignorance and disregard. The minority population in this novel is facing the threat of losing the main source of their livelihood and their habitats. The aim of the novel by Pancake was well put across and sensitized. The issue of mountain top mining has ...

Uncle Tom’s Cabin was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a teacher at the Hartford Female Academy. It depicts the reality of slavery and is based on real life experiences of another slave, Josiah Henson.

Jenson a former slave escaped slavery in 1930 to live in Canada, where is now called Ontario. He helped other slaves to flee savagery of slavery and helped them become self-sufficient. Henson wrote his memoirs while living in Canada, and Stowe agreed that she was Henson’s writing impressed her enough to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was the name of ...

Election of Abraham Lincoln

In my opinion, the most important factor that led to the Civil War was the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. At this point, there was already incredible tension existing between the North and the South surrounding their different economies and the abolitionist movement; Lincoln's election seemed to be the final nail in the coffin before secession was to occur (Chadwick, 2010). Lincoln was already known to be vehemently against slavery, and many southerners feared he would simply work toward its extinction. Though the government tried to compromise with initiatives like the Corwin Amendment, it did nothing to stop ...

Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thorea was surely one of the finest writers to emanate from the United States before the Civil War. His novel Walden describes an almost perfect settlement where the subject lives simply in natural surroundings and is an ideal introduction to his seminal work. Another important work is his essay on Civil Disobedience which is perhaps one of the best known elements which argues for resistance to civil government which is a moral opposition to an unjust state. Thoreau’s books and articles number over 20 volumes and he has several contributions on natural history and philosophy where ...

As a nation, America is populated by immigrants and as such, its culture is a mixed bag – a melting pot, if you will, of ethnicities, cultures, ideas and beliefs. As a result, it is difficult to define any one traditionally American aspect of culture as it is bastardised from a whole variety of European, African and Asian influences. However, America can boast its culture as having been affected by these various different influences and as being shaped accordingly. One such major influence is that brought to the table by the African American community who have influenced American culture for decades through music, film, literature ...

With the division between the south and the north on the issue of slavery, the fugitive slave act was passed in 1850. According to the act, if slaves ran away and caught, they were to be returned to their masters. This act was one of the most controversial because people who supported the freedom of the slaves did not embrace this law. Northerners did not obey this act despite the harsh terms according to the fugitive act. According to the act, a northerner who refused to help in the capture of slaves was jailed in addition to the one ...