Uncle Tom's Cabin, By Harriet Beecher Stowe

Wrongly, yet Faithfully, Justified
Uncle Tom’s Cabin was a provocative and controversial piece when it was published in1852. So much so, that President Abraham Lincoln met with the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, in 1862 and presumably said, “So this is the little lady that made this big [Civil] war.” Stowe wrote this novel with a specific audience in mind: Northerners. She wanted to show the North the horrors of slavery in the South. She wanted to expel the notion that Slavery had religious backing through Christianity. Historically, slavery as an institution was justified by the claim that the slaves were descendants of Ham. Noah laid a curse on Ham’s son, and Noah’s grandson, Canaan in Genesis 9:25-27:
"Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers. He also said, 'Blessed be the Lord, the God of Shem! May Canaan be the slave of Shem. May God extend the territory of Japheth; may Japeth live in the tents of Shem and may Canaan be his slave'."
It was believed that Canaan had settled in Africa. Furthermore, slave owners were teaching savages brought over from Africa God’s word. They argued that the slave owners were taking these savages from their uncivilized cultures and giving them a proper civilized
world to live in. To illustrate this abolitionist agenda Stowe depicts Uncle Tom as a Christ figure.
First, in order to explain how Uncle Tom is a Christ figure one must understand what being a Christ figure entails. A Christ figure must be loyal in his faith. If he or she does falter from faith, it is renewed, bringing him or her back into the arms of God. A Christ figure must also show forgiveness and kindness to all. Most importantly, a Christ figure must live in agony, and make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save another. Stowe personifies Uncle Tom with all of these characteristics.
In Matthew 27:46 Jesus Christ exclaims, “My god, my god, why have you forsaken me?” Uncle Tom’s own faith falters, but each time he has a vision that brings him back. For example, when Uncle Tom is in Simon Legree’s possession, Uncle Tom lives in brutal and unforgiving conditions. On top of that, Legree constantly puts down Uncle Tom’s religious ways. Legree says things such as, "You see the Lord an't going to help you; if he had been, he wouldn't have let me get you! This yer religion is all a mess of lying trumpery, Tom. I know all about it. Ye'd better hold to me; I'm somebody, and can do something!" (408). Uncle Tom experiences “the true searching test of what there may be in man or woman,” (406). This test reduces his faith until “the hand of faith still held to the eternal rock, [though] it was a numb, despairing grasp,” (408). Instead of succumbing to his environment and his cruel master’s taunts, Uncle Tom is able to hold firm in his beliefs. He experiences a vision of who he believes to be Jesus. Jesus says, “He that overcometh shall sit down with me on my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father on his throne,” (408). After this visage, Uncle Tom sings a hymn and feels his faith renewed. Even as Legree beats Tom for his fidelity, he is un-waivered. Instead, he felt pity for his master and those around him. Upon Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, he forgave those that were killing him. In Luke 23:34 Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Jesus’ death is said to have cleansed the world of their sins. Just like Christ, Uncle Tom sacrificed himself in order to help others. His death allows Cassy and Emmeline to escape. When Legree found out that they had escaped he suspects that Tom knows of their whereabouts. Even after threatening to kill Tom, Tom would not speak. Before fainting from his wounds Tom says, “Ye poor miserable critter! … there ain't no more ye can do! I forgive ye, with all my soul!” (432). His death was yet endured as he lay with his wounds for two days before finally passing away. Uncle Tom’s portrayal as a Christ figure is Stowe showing that Christianity does not justify slavery.
Tom’s resolve throughout his life as a slave is opposed by Legree’s life as a non-religious slave owner. The stark contrast illuminated by these characters shows that slavery cannot be defended by the religion that Tom holds so dear. Each time that Tom’s devotion faltered in the face of his environment, he was reminded that he must remain true, for it is the only way to mentally survive it. Moreover, as he was being beaten, Sambo and Quimbo saw Tom’s religious resolve and moved to help him instead of beating him more. In fact, they too accepted Tom’s beliefs. This climatic scene further exemplifies how incompatible the two institutions
are.

Works Cited
• Stowe, Harriet B. Uncle Tom's Cabin. N.p.: n.p., n.d. The American Renaissance. Constitution Foundation. Web. <http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/SAYLOR-ENGL405-7.3-UNCLETOM.pdf>.
• “Uncle Tom's Cabin is published.” 2014. The History Channel website. Oct 1 2014, 2:54 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/uncle-toms-cabin-is-published.

• B.A. Robinson. "Using the Bible to Justify Slavery. Slavery in the Bible and Early Christianity." The Theory of Evolution What Scientists Believe It Is and Isn`t. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav1.htm>.