Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Literature of Abolition

1. Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin

2. AbolitionismAbolitionism
 Abolitionism is the movement to abolish theAbolitionism is the movement to abolish the
institution of slavery. Abolition= the abolishmentinstitution of slavery. Abolition= the abolishment
of slaveryof slavery
 Gradual abolition—The idea that at some futureGradual abolition—The idea that at some future
date children of slaves would be freed soon afterdate children of slaves would be freed soon after
reaching adulthood—already no new slavesreaching adulthood—already no new slaves
could be brought in since 1808.could be brought in since 1808.
 Immediate abolition—The idea that slavery wasImmediate abolition—The idea that slavery was
such a great moral injustice that it must be donesuch a great moral injustice that it must be done
away with at once.away with at once.

3.  Voluntary abolition—the idea that by aVoluntary abolition—the idea that by a
combination of moral suasion andcombination of moral suasion and
economic changes the south wouldeconomic changes the south would
eventually yield to a gradual abolitioneventually yield to a gradual abolition
scheme.scheme.
 Colonization—the idea that freed slavesColonization—the idea that freed slaves
should emigrate and form a colony inshould emigrate and form a colony in
Africa or South America or the CaribbeanAfrica or South America or the Caribbean

4. Early movements toward abolitionEarly movements toward abolition
 By 1804 slavery had been abolished inBy 1804 slavery had been abolished in
Pennsylvania and all states north of it.Pennsylvania and all states north of it.
 Slave trade from Africa abolished in 1808Slave trade from Africa abolished in 1808
following Great Britain’s action in 1807.following Great Britain’s action in 1807.
 Anti-slavery feeling existed among many of theAnti-slavery feeling existed among many of the
founding fathers (even though some were slavefounding fathers (even though some were slave
owners).owners).
 Early 1800’s some trend toward making it easierEarly 1800’s some trend toward making it easier
to emancipate slaves in southern statesto emancipate slaves in southern states
 Slavery was overthrown in 1803 in Haiti after aSlavery was overthrown in 1803 in Haiti after a
violent uprising that began in 1791.violent uprising that began in 1791.

5. Why voluntary abolition neverWhy voluntary abolition never
happenedhappened
 Trend toward emancipation in southTrend toward emancipation in south
reversed as southern states worried aboutreversed as southern states worried about
loss of power and influence as new non-loss of power and influence as new non-
slave states entered the union.slave states entered the union.
 Natural increase more than made up forNatural increase more than made up for
loss of new slaves from Africa. Also untilloss of new slaves from Africa. Also until
1840s this prohibition was often flouted by1840s this prohibition was often flouted by
taking slaves to the Caribbean first.taking slaves to the Caribbean first.

6. Why abolition never happenedWhy abolition never happened
voluntarily continuedvoluntarily continued
 Slave owners felt more passionate aboutSlave owners felt more passionate about
holding on to their slaves than mostholding on to their slaves than most
Northerners felt about abolition.Northerners felt about abolition.
 Effect of Nat Turner’s Rebellion in 1831Effect of Nat Turner’s Rebellion in 1831
 Rise in pro-slavery propagandaRise in pro-slavery propaganda
– Slavery defended as positive good notSlavery defended as positive good not
necessary evilnecessary evil
– Southern churches began to support itSouthern churches began to support it
 Abolitonists thought of as extremists.Abolitonists thought of as extremists.

7. Increasing tensionsIncreasing tensions
 As the US expanded there was greatAs the US expanded there was great
debate over whether the new statesdebate over whether the new states
should be slave or free and concerns overshould be slave or free and concerns over
whether the balance of power between thewhether the balance of power between the
North and South would change.North and South would change.

8. Literature of AbolitionLiterature of Abolition
 Key genresKey genres
– Novel Uncle Tom’s CabinNovel Uncle Tom’s Cabin
– Slave narrative --Slave narrative --NarrativeNarrative of Frederickof Frederick
Douglass.Douglass. Incidents in the Life of a Slave GirlIncidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
 Other genresOther genres
– Poetry, drama, sermons, lectures, pamphletsPoetry, drama, sermons, lectures, pamphlets
and newspaper editorials.and newspaper editorials.

9. Key themesKey themes
 Whippings and other abuseWhippings and other abuse
 Corruption of slave ownerCorruption of slave owner
 Separation of families—slave auctionsSeparation of families—slave auctions
 Sexual abuse of female slavesSexual abuse of female slaves
 Suffering of mulatto slaves/hypocrisy of master/fatherSuffering of mulatto slaves/hypocrisy of master/father
 Slavery as against ChristianitySlavery as against Christianity
 Entrepreneurial spirit of slaves/escaped slavesEntrepreneurial spirit of slaves/escaped slaves
 Slavery as a contradiction of the ideals of declaration ofSlavery as a contradiction of the ideals of declaration of
IndependenceIndependence
 Injustice of Fugitive slave lawInjustice of Fugitive slave law

10. Uncle Tom’s CabinUncle Tom’s Cabin
 Written by Stowe after the passage of theWritten by Stowe after the passage of the
fugitive slave lawfugitive slave law
 Was the most famous and most influentialWas the most famous and most influential
anti-slavery novel.anti-slavery novel.
 Strongly criticized and banned in the southStrongly criticized and banned in the south
also prompted rival accountsalso prompted rival accounts
 Increased anti-slavery feeling in the NorthIncreased anti-slavery feeling in the North

11. Sentimental FictionSentimental Fiction
 The novel is an example of sentimentalThe novel is an example of sentimental
literature. It aims to give pleasure andliterature. It aims to give pleasure and
convey its message through evokingconvey its message through evoking
strong emotions. Strict realism is not astrong emotions. Strict realism is not a
concern compared to dramatic effect.concern compared to dramatic effect.
 Novel was also aimed particularly atNovel was also aimed particularly at
women readers-appeals to their maternalwomen readers-appeals to their maternal
feelings and provides idealized scenes offeelings and provides idealized scenes of
women’s moral influence.women’s moral influence.

12. Death of childrenDeath of children
 Common theme inCommon theme in
sentimental literaturesentimental literature
 Ex. : Scene of Eva’sEx. : Scene of Eva’s
deathdeath
 Used to stir emotionsUsed to stir emotions
in scene at Senatorin scene at Senator
Bird’s and to makeBird’s and to make
readers identify withreaders identify with
slave mothers whoslave mothers who
lose their children.lose their children.

13. Idealization of MotherhoodIdealization of Motherhood
 ““My Friend, if in becoming aMy Friend, if in becoming a
mother, you have reached themother, you have reached the
climax of your happiness, youclimax of your happiness, you
have also taken a higher placehave also taken a higher place
in the scale of being. A mostin the scale of being. A most
important part is allotted you,important part is allotted you,
in the economy of the greatin the economy of the great
human family.” Lydia Mariahuman family.” Lydia Maria
ChildChild
 Because of the idealization ofBecause of the idealization of
motherhood at this time,motherhood at this time,
depicting slaves as mothersdepicting slaves as mothers
was a powerful way to appealwas a powerful way to appeal
to readers’ hearts.to readers’ hearts.

14. From National Era 1852From National Era 1852
 ““For thrilling delineation of character, andFor thrilling delineation of character, and
power of description, this work ispower of description, this work is
unrivalled. It has been denominated, andunrivalled. It has been denominated, and
with truth, THE STORY OF THE AGE!with truth, THE STORY OF THE AGE!
The fact that The fact that ten thousand copies haveten thousand copies have
been sold in two weeksbeen sold in two weeks is evidence is evidence
sufficient of its unbounded popularity.”sufficient of its unbounded popularity.”

15. Excerpts from reviewsExcerpts from reviews

16. From National Era 1852From National Era 1852
 "We conceive, the, that in writing 'Uncle"We conceive, the, that in writing 'Uncle
Tom's Cabin' Mrs. Harriet Beecher StoweTom's Cabin' Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe
has done more to diffuse real knowledgehas done more to diffuse real knowledge
of the facts and workings of Americanof the facts and workings of American
Slavery, and to arouse the sluggish nationSlavery, and to arouse the sluggish nation
to shake off the curse, and abate theto shake off the curse, and abate the
wrong than has been accomplished by allwrong than has been accomplished by all
the orations, and anniversaries, andthe orations, and anniversaries, and
arguments, and documents, which the lastarguments, and documents, which the last
ten years have been the witness of.”ten years have been the witness of.”

17. From National Era 1852From National Era 1852
 ““It takes no extreme views. It does not seek toIt takes no extreme views. It does not seek to
seize upon the most horrible atrocities, andseize upon the most horrible atrocities, and
brand the whole system as worse than it is. It isbrand the whole system as worse than it is. It is
fair, and generous, and calm, and candid. Afair, and generous, and calm, and candid. A
slave-holder might read it without anger, but notslave-holder might read it without anger, but not
easily without a secret abhorrence of the systemeasily without a secret abhorrence of the system
which he himself upholds. It brings out, quietlywhich he himself upholds. It brings out, quietly
and collaterally, those incidental features ofand collaterally, those incidental features of
servitude which are usually little thought of, butservitude which are usually little thought of, but
which are the overflow of its cup ofwhich are the overflow of its cup of
abominations.”abominations.”

18. William Allen in 1852William Allen in 1852
 ” ”I have recently readI have recently read Uncle Tom.Uncle Tom. What aWhat a
book! It is, in its line, the wonder ofbook! It is, in its line, the wonder of
wonders. How its descriptions stir thewonders. How its descriptions stir the
blood, indeed almost make it leap out ofblood, indeed almost make it leap out of
the heart! What delineations of charactersthe heart! What delineations of characters
—St. Clare and Legree, extremes of—St. Clare and Legree, extremes of
slaveholders. ”slaveholders. ”

19. William Allen in 1852William Allen in 1852
 ““The story of the Quadroon girl, secondThe story of the Quadroon girl, second
book, thirty-fourth chapter, exceedsbook, thirty-fourth chapter, exceeds
anything that I have ever read, in all that isanything that I have ever read, in all that is
soul-searching and thrilling. Indeed, thesoul-searching and thrilling. Indeed, the
book is marvellous for its dramatic power,book is marvellous for its dramatic power,
and I do not wonder that cheap editionsand I do not wonder that cheap editions
are now being called for throughout theare now being called for throughout the
Northern States. “Northern States. “

20. London TimesLondon Times
 ““Mrs. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE is an abolitionist,Mrs. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE is an abolitionist,
and her book is a vehement and unrestrained argumentand her book is a vehement and unrestrained argument
in favor of her creed. She does not preach a sermon, forin favor of her creed. She does not preach a sermon, for
men are accustomed to nap and nod under the pulpit;men are accustomed to nap and nod under the pulpit;
she does not indite a philosophical discourse, forshe does not indite a philosophical discourse, for
philosophy is exacting, is solicitous for truth, and scornsphilosophy is exacting, is solicitous for truth, and scorns
exaggeration. Nor does the lady condescend to surveyexaggeration. Nor does the lady condescend to survey
her intricate subject in the capacity of a judge, for theher intricate subject in the capacity of a judge, for the
judicial seat is fixed high above human passion, and shejudicial seat is fixed high above human passion, and she
is in no temper to mount it. With the instinct of her sex,is in no temper to mount it. With the instinct of her sex,
the clever authoress takes the shortest road to herthe clever authoress takes the shortest road to her
purpose, and strikes at the convictions of her readers bypurpose, and strikes at the convictions of her readers by
assailing their hearts.”assailing their hearts.”

21. London TimesLondon Times
 ““Mrs. STOWE having made up her mind that slavery isMrs. STOWE having made up her mind that slavery is
an abomination in the sight of God and man, thinks ofan abomination in the sight of God and man, thinks of
nothing but the annihilation of the pernicious system.nothing but the annihilation of the pernicious system.
From the first page of her narrative to the last this idea isFrom the first page of her narrative to the last this idea is
paramount in her mind, and colors all her drawing. Thatparamount in her mind, and colors all her drawing. That
she will secure proselytes we take for granted; for it is inshe will secure proselytes we take for granted; for it is in
the nature of enthusiasm to inoculate with passionatethe nature of enthusiasm to inoculate with passionate
zeal the strong-hearted as well as the feeble-minded.zeal the strong-hearted as well as the feeble-minded.
That she will convince the world of the purity of her ownThat she will convince the world of the purity of her own
motives and of the hatefulness of the sin she denouncesmotives and of the hatefulness of the sin she denounces
is equally clear; but that she will help, in the slightestis equally clear; but that she will help, in the slightest
degree, towards the removal of the gigantic evil thatdegree, towards the removal of the gigantic evil that
afflicts her soul is a point upon which we may expressafflicts her soul is a point upon which we may express
the greatest doubt.”the greatest doubt.”

22. Call for a Southern ResponseCall for a Southern Response
““With the great moral force of literature overturn the unholy citadelWith the great moral force of literature overturn the unholy citadel
erected by the slander, fanaticism, and malignity of your enemies,erected by the slander, fanaticism, and malignity of your enemies,
from whose unconsecrated towers, arrows steeped in the poison offrom whose unconsecrated towers, arrows steeped in the poison of
falsehood and infamous libel, are shot at your institutions. Therefalsehood and infamous libel, are shot at your institutions. There
never was a field that promised a more deathless immortality to thenever was a field that promised a more deathless immortality to the
author than this, nor greater benefits to his country and race. Theauthor than this, nor greater benefits to his country and race. The
success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is an evidence of the manner insuccess of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is an evidence of the manner in
which our enemies are employing literature for our overthrow. Is thatwhich our enemies are employing literature for our overthrow. Is that
effusion, in which a woman, instigated by the devil, sows the seed ofeffusion, in which a woman, instigated by the devil, sows the seed of
future strife between the two sections of her country, likely to be thefuture strife between the two sections of her country, likely to be the
last? No. The literary workshops of the north are even nowlast? No. The literary workshops of the north are even now
resounding with the noisy and fanatical labors of those who, withresounding with the noisy and fanatical labors of those who, with
Mrs. Stowe as their model, are forging calumnies, and hammeringMrs. Stowe as their model, are forging calumnies, and hammering
falsehood into the semblance of truth. “falsehood into the semblance of truth. “
T W White in the Southern Literary Messenger 1856T W White in the Southern Literary Messenger 1856

23. Anonymous epigramAnonymous epigram
When Latin I studied, my Ainsworth in hand,When Latin I studied, my Ainsworth in hand,
I answered my teacher that I answered my teacher that StoSto meant meant to standto stand,,
But if asked, I should now give another reply,But if asked, I should now give another reply,
For For StoweStowe means, beyond any cavil, means, beyond any cavil, to lieto lie..
Published in 1853Published in 1853