Harriet Beecher Stowe was the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The book was an anti-slavery book published in 1852. The book was also known as titled "The Life among the Lowly." According to William Kaufman, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" helped lay the groundwork for Civil War.
Blog Post #1 The author assumes that her audience knows about Jim Crow when Mr. Shelby refers to the slave boy as “Jim Crow” (44). When Mr. Shelby is speaking with the trader he refers to the child in this way saying, “Come here, Jim Crow” despite the fact that this was not his name (44). Jim Crow was a derisive term for a black man and later became representative of the Jim Crow Laws that enforced racial segregation.
Nice point! I didn't even catch that. This also refers to an idea, which alludes to this "character" that is a derogatory term, which appeals to the audience and keeps them engaged, and potentially learning new racial slurs, and get a better idea of the characters, and harsh realities. This could also give an idea of what backs thought of quadroons, to be not fully their race, calling them out to "support" racial segregation since they are not as oppressed.
Through chapter 14 to 17, Stowe uses assumption in order for her audience to stay engaged within the novel. She presumes that her readers are familiar with biblical stores, as she constantly refers back to them. This is evident in chapter 15, when Stowe relates Tom to “Queen of Sheba before Solomon” (257) when he is meets his new masters. In using references from the bible, Stowe allows her readers to relate and connect with the characters.
Referencing the Bible, to me helps me connect with the characters more. I, as a catholic and educated young women know the Bible quite well (thanks to our great Theology teachers :) ) With incorporating the Bible, it aids Stowe to share the story by referencing examples that most people would clearly understand. It also makes me sympathize with the slaves, like Tom who is a Christian and looks to God for guidance, like I do.
In chapters 18 through 19, Stowe manipulates her audience through the assumptions of her characters. St. Clare, a passively moral man, has accepted slavery as necessary for the community and beyond that tries not to think about the whole matter overly much, despite being the owner of hundreds of slaves himself. In chapter 19, Stowe writes St. Clare as despairing that "there would be no use in interfering" in how other masters treat their slaves, as "there is no law that amounts to anything... for such a case." He adds, tellingly, that all anyone could do is "shut our eyes and ears, and let it alone." St. Clare assumes that there is nothing that can be done to fix the issue and that kind treatment is enough on his part, because such were the values instilled in him by his parents.
That's a very interesting point, Elizabeth. I agree that Stowe uses assumptions to "manipulate" her characters. St. Clare's passivity and acceptance of the institution of slavery may move the audience toward disbelief or indignation. Also, the idea of passivity and belief that one cannot change the established order is still prevalent today. With all the issues of racism and sexism that exist today, many individuals continue to believe that they cannot change the order and beliefs that exist.
In Chapter 25, Miss Ophelia shudders when she touches Topsy the mischievous slave girl; in contrast, her niece Eva unflinchingly embraces Topsy. Ophelia is unaware of this unacknowledged bias, and assumes that she herself is without prejudice. This attitude reflects that of many Northerners and abolitionists fighting both for freed slaves and against the institution of such prejudice. When Ophelia comes to terms with her deeply-ingrained racism, she does her best to actively shed it.
I agree, that when ophelia touches Topsy that it "reflects that of many Northerners and abolitionists fighting both for freed slaves and against the institution of such prejudice." In the south, it was a common knowledge that one must not treat a slave with respect.
Yes I also agree with your point. Often when learning about the history of slaves, we always focus on the savagery of the southerners, but see the northerners in such a positive light, when in reality, they too held such prejudice. Despite many northerners who claimed slavery as such an "abomination", they still considered blacks to be less than nothing. As the reader we are able to see the persona of Ophelia, and truly discern the truth of the northerners thoughts.
-In chapter 30, Stowe shows that when female slaves, are sold the reliance on being attractive will get them to be sold. The mother of a young female slave, hopes that her daughter will not be sold if she has her daughter “brush out all [her] hair straight”(473), by assuming that her looks will be the major factor of being sold, and in this case, her daughter does not “look well” (473) while her hair is straight. Stowe uses this assumption from the Mother, to show that in the society, females were only important depending on their appeal of attractive towards men, who are also assumed to be sexist, by only accepting certain girls who fit the standards of beauty.
Blog Post #1
ReplyDeleteThe author assumes that her audience knows about Jim Crow when Mr. Shelby refers to the slave boy as “Jim Crow” (44). When Mr. Shelby is speaking with the trader he refers to the child in this way saying, “Come here, Jim Crow” despite the fact that this was not his name (44). Jim Crow was a derisive term for a black man and later became representative of the Jim Crow Laws that enforced racial segregation.
Nice point! I didn't even catch that. This also refers to an idea, which alludes to this "character" that is a derogatory term, which appeals to the audience and keeps them engaged, and potentially learning new racial slurs, and get a better idea of the characters, and harsh realities. This could also give an idea of what backs thought of quadroons, to be not fully their race, calling them out to "support" racial segregation since they are not as oppressed.
DeleteBlog post #2
ReplyDeleteThrough chapter 14 to 17, Stowe uses assumption in order for her audience to stay engaged within the novel. She presumes that her readers are familiar with biblical stores, as she constantly refers back to them. This is evident in chapter 15, when Stowe relates Tom to “Queen of Sheba before Solomon” (257) when he is meets his new masters. In using references from the bible, Stowe allows her readers to relate and connect with the characters.
Referencing the Bible, to me helps me connect with the characters more. I, as a catholic and educated young women know the Bible quite well (thanks to our great Theology teachers :) ) With incorporating the Bible, it aids Stowe to share the story by referencing examples that most people would clearly understand. It also makes me sympathize with the slaves, like Tom who is a Christian and looks to God for guidance, like I do.
DeleteBlog Post 3
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 18 through 19, Stowe manipulates her audience through the assumptions of her characters. St. Clare, a passively moral man, has accepted slavery as necessary for the community and beyond that tries not to think about the whole matter overly much, despite being the owner of hundreds of slaves himself. In chapter 19, Stowe writes St. Clare as despairing that "there would be no use in interfering" in how other masters treat their slaves, as "there is no law that amounts to anything... for such a case." He adds, tellingly, that all anyone could do is "shut our eyes and ears, and let it alone." St. Clare assumes that there is nothing that can be done to fix the issue and that kind treatment is enough on his part, because such were the values instilled in him by his parents.
That's a very interesting point, Elizabeth. I agree that Stowe uses assumptions to "manipulate" her characters. St. Clare's passivity and acceptance of the institution of slavery may move the audience toward disbelief or indignation. Also, the idea of passivity and belief that one cannot change the established order is still prevalent today. With all the issues of racism and sexism that exist today, many individuals continue to believe that they cannot change the order and beliefs that exist.
DeleteBlog Post 4
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 25, Miss Ophelia shudders when she touches Topsy the mischievous slave girl; in contrast, her niece Eva unflinchingly embraces Topsy. Ophelia is unaware of this unacknowledged bias, and assumes that she herself is without prejudice. This attitude reflects that of many Northerners and abolitionists fighting both for freed slaves and against the institution of such prejudice. When Ophelia comes to terms with her deeply-ingrained racism, she does her best to actively shed it.
I agree, that when ophelia touches Topsy that it "reflects that of many Northerners and abolitionists fighting both for freed slaves and against the institution of such prejudice." In the south, it was a common knowledge that one must not treat a slave with respect.
DeleteYes I also agree with your point. Often when learning about the history of slaves, we always focus on the savagery of the southerners, but see the northerners in such a positive light, when in reality, they too held such prejudice. Despite many northerners who claimed slavery as such an "abomination", they still considered blacks to be less than nothing. As the reader we are able to see the persona of Ophelia, and truly discern the truth of the northerners thoughts.
DeleteAssumption #5
ReplyDelete-In chapter 30, Stowe shows that when female slaves, are sold the reliance on being attractive will get them to be sold. The mother of a young female slave, hopes that her daughter will not be sold if she has her daughter “brush out all [her] hair straight”(473), by assuming that her looks will be the major factor of being sold, and in this case, her daughter does not “look well” (473) while her hair is straight. Stowe uses this assumption from the Mother, to show that in the society, females were only important depending on their appeal of attractive towards men, who are also assumed to be sexist, by only accepting certain girls who fit the standards of beauty.