An Analysis of Four White Women Characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
An Analysis of Four White Women Characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Abstract
An aim of this study is to analyze the white women characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and reveal the evil and immorality of slavery at that time. At first, it briefly introduces the historical background of this book and the author. Then it gives the summary and the themes about this novel. It uses the method of contrast and comparison to figure out the similar quality of those women, and the unique feature of them. This paper discusses the characters of four white women in this novel and the relationship between their images and the social background. Furthermore, this study reveals the power of women’s morality and Christianity. This paper may contribute to the study of American history in 19th century about the slavery and the conflict between northern and southern.
Key words: slavery, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, white women, morality, Christianity
1. Introduction 1.1 The historical background of Uncle Tom’s Cabin During the nineteenth century in western country, women were considered inferior and expected to be submissive to men. Their place at that time was staying at home raising children, running the household and managing the house servants. The creation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin was in the background of feminist movement and the enacted of the Fugitive Slave Law.(“The Renewal”, 2008 ). 1.2 An introduction to the author The author of this novel is Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was born in America. The Stowes' family was not rich, and therefore, Harriet's life was sometimes conflicted between the necessities of motherhood and writing, or, between vocation and avocation. She eventually bore six children, with whom her writing competed. Stowe chose to write Uncle Tom's Cabin because her sister-in-law urged her to use her skills to aid the cause of abolition. (Amons, 2003) 1.3 Summary of this novel Uncle Tom is a slave living in Kentucky.
Abstract
An aim of this study is to analyze the white women characters in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and reveal the evil and immorality of slavery at that time. At first, it briefly introduces the historical background of this book and the author. Then it gives the summary and the themes about this novel. It uses the method of contrast and comparison to figure out the similar quality of those women, and the unique feature of them. This paper discusses the characters of four white women in this novel and the relationship between their images and the social background. Furthermore, this study reveals the power of women’s morality and Christianity. This paper may contribute to the study of American history in 19th century about the slavery and the conflict between northern and southern.
Key words: slavery, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, white women, morality, Christianity
1. Introduction 1.1 The historical background of Uncle Tom’s Cabin During the nineteenth century in western country, women were considered inferior and expected to be submissive to men. Their place at that time was staying at home raising children, running the household and managing the house servants. The creation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin was in the background of feminist movement and the enacted of the Fugitive Slave Law.(“The Renewal”, 2008 ). 1.2 An introduction to the author The author of this novel is Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was born in America. The Stowes' family was not rich, and therefore, Harriet's life was sometimes conflicted between the necessities of motherhood and writing, or, between vocation and avocation. She eventually bore six children, with whom her writing competed. Stowe chose to write Uncle Tom's Cabin because her sister-in-law urged her to use her skills to aid the cause of abolition. (Amons, 2003) 1.3 Summary of this novel Uncle Tom is a slave living in Kentucky.