An Analysis Of Uncle Tom's Cabin, By Harriet Beecher Stowe

It is difficult to relate personally to the narratives covered in "Slavery and Freedom", especially during this time of year when we are reminded to give thanks for all that we hold dear. It is unimaginable to think about the life of slaves such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs. Their sense of family was cut off at birth or shortly after, forming a personal identity was impossible and gaining freedom required huge acts of courage.

It was clever of Harriet Beecher Stowe to include a theme in Uncle Tom's Cabin that was universally relatable. Stowe connects the pain of losing a child with the loss of a child into slavery. Her goal was to motivate slave holders to emancipate and to create compassion for the current slaves.

Finding a
way to relate to an individual or group of individuals is an important part of motivating them. I face this challenge on a weekly basis while substitute teaching in various school districts. I only have a short time to learn about the students and motivate them to be courageous learners. Finding a way to relate and connect to their world is a valuable tactic that I have learned to use. This can be a real challenge as the districts that I work for have a wide range or economic, social and family dynamics.