Is There a Tension Between Politics and Sentimentalism in Uncle Tom's Cabin
Is there a tension between politics and sentimentalism in Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852) Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, on the surface is a very sentimental novel due to the prevalence of tragedy and sadness, evoking strong emotional responses from its readers. But, it is more than just a sentimental novel because it also holds important insights about the morality underlying the institution of slavery in 19th century America. The sentimental stories therefore draw attention to the political issues, one such being its violation of human rights. Sentimentalism is developed via the role of women and the influence they exert on their male companions. Stowe’s interpretation of Christianity furthermore is used to highlight the incompatibility of its moral codes and the institution of slavery as a whole. Humanization of slaves in her writing in addition reinforces Stowe’s view that the political system that supports slavery is morally wrong in that slaves are not physically inferior to white people, however merely politically subordinated.
Stowe uses different genders in her book to represent different and conflicting moral codes regarding the issue of slavery. For example, female characters such as Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Shelby represent the sentimental side of a domestic household. They both share different views to their husbands regarding the status of slaves and their subsequent treatment. Both women hope to exert some sort of moral influence on their politically driven husbands. However, it is largely male characters such as Senator Bird and Mr. Shelby that are depicted to represent economic and largely political constraints of the time. A clear example of this is shown in the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bird in which Mr. Bird (Senator of Ohio) announces to his wife that he has voted in favor of the Fugitive Slave Act (1850). This act enforces that citizens of non-slave holding states are required to aid the capture and return of
Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, on the surface is a very sentimental novel due to the prevalence of tragedy and sadness, evoking strong emotional responses from its readers. But, it is more than just a sentimental novel because it also holds important insights about the morality underlying the institution of slavery in 19th century America. The sentimental stories therefore draw attention to the political issues, one such being its violation of human rights. Sentimentalism is developed via the role of women and the influence they exert on their male companions. Stowe’s interpretation of Christianity furthermore is used to highlight the incompatibility of its moral codes and the institution of slavery as a whole. Humanization of slaves in her writing in addition reinforces Stowe’s view that the political system that supports slavery is morally wrong in that slaves are not physically inferior to white people, however merely politically subordinated.
Stowe uses different genders in her book to represent different and conflicting moral codes regarding the issue of slavery. For example, female characters such as Mrs. Bird and Mrs. Shelby represent the sentimental side of a domestic household. They both share different views to their husbands regarding the status of slaves and their subsequent treatment. Both women hope to exert some sort of moral influence on their politically driven husbands. However, it is largely male characters such as Senator Bird and Mr. Shelby that are depicted to represent economic and largely political constraints of the time. A clear example of this is shown in the conversation between Mr. and Mrs. Bird in which Mr. Bird (Senator of Ohio) announces to his wife that he has voted in favor of the Fugitive Slave Act (1850). This act enforces that citizens of non-slave holding states are required to aid the capture and return of
Bibliography: * Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, (Oxford University Press 1997) * Jane P * Cynthia Griffin Wolff, American Quarterly, (American Studies Association Dec, 1995), Vol. 47, No. 4 * Severn Duvall, The New England Quarterly, Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Boston: G.K [ 2 ]. Severn Duvall, The New England Quarterly, Uncle Tom’s Cabin (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1963) p.5 [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. Cynthia Griffin Wolff, American Quarterly, (American Studies Association Dec., 1995), Vol. 47, No. 4 p.596 [ 5 ] [ 6 ]. Cynthia Griffin Wolff, American Quarterly, (American Studies Association Dec., 1995), Vol. 47, No. 4 p.599 [ 7 ] [ 8 ]. Cynthia Griffin Wolff, American Quarterly, (American Studies Association Dec, 1995), Vol. 47, No. 4 p.596-597 [ 9 ] [ 10 ]. Jane P. Tompkins, “Sentimental Power: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Politics of Literary History,” (Glyph 2 1978) p.9 [ 11 ] [ 12 ]. Jane P. Tompkins, “Sentimental Power: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Politics of Literary History,” (Glyph 2 1978) p.5 [ 13 ] [ 14 ]. Jane P. Tompkins, “Sentimental Power: Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Politics of Literary His- tory,” (Glyph 2, 1978) p. 5