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 #2 Stowe's intended audience is Christian readers who will sympathize with the plight of slaves. Consistent references to "moral and Christian virtues" in the novel, are aimed at a Christian audience, that she believes can help end slavery (234). However, beyond Christians, Stowe's audience consisted of average citizens in both the North and South as she provoked the discussion of slavery in both sections of the nation.
I like what you said about appealing to her Christian audience. Stowe also uses the importance Christianity in her novel to establish ethos. Her Christian audience will likely listen more if they hear about the religion they believe in. This way, they can personally relate to slaves such as Tom who deeply believe in God.
I agree that Stowe is attempting to appeal to a christian audience especially since she incorporates the bible. Eva later on in the novel says that all people should have the opportunity to read the bible for themselves and establish their own opinions and feelings towards scripture. The readers can feel a connection to Eva and to Tom who as carly says deeply believes in God.
By shocking her audience, which as you said comprised of "Christians", Stowe effectively evoked emotional response in her European audience, elliciting sympathy from overseas populations.
Stowe was writing to the northern-state Americans, but the book also enjoyed success in France and England as well. This audience was not the slave-owning sort, and the book helped clarify their abolitionist views. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, more than anything else, moved public opinion in the North against the South at the prologue of the American Civil War.
I agree with what you said about expressing abolitionist views for the public. I do agree that Uncle Tom's Cabin does not just target southern slave owners to make a change but it also provides reason and explanation to those who don't have an opinion about slavery for why a change is needed.
I agree that the audience was more geared toward northern regions, because the novel would not have affected any opinions in the south. Stowe wanted to spread the word, and deep into the true realities of slavery in the South, to prevent progression, and expansion of slavery. Abraham Lincoln advocated for the end of slavery of progressing further into other regions, other than stopping the act of slavery in general, which would not have been stopped by the mass amounts of pro-slavery supporters.
I agree that this novel was written for Northerners as a way to encourage the civil war. It is not just for the salve owners to encourage them to abolish slavery but for those who didn't own slaves and were against slavery to try and make a difference
Blog Post #3 In chapters 18-19, Stowe specifically appeals to her audience of slave masters through the story of Prue. "Wish[ing] [she] were dead" (319) so that she'd "be out o' [her] misery" (319), Prue is depressed because her child "cried itself to death" (324). In chapter 19, the reader finds out that Prue was "whipped [...] to death" (327). By appealing to the sympathetic emotions of the reader, Stowe is showing her audience of slave masters the horrors of being a slave, and trying to persuade them to let their slaves go.
I agree, "Stowe specifically appeals to her audience of slave masters through the story of Prue. " she uses pathos to allow her audience to feel sympathy towards her character, thus keeping them engaged.
Blog Post #4 Chapter 20-29’s main audience are slave owners and the general public. In chapter 29, St. Clare, Tom’s owner, and someone whom he cares about dearly is on his death bed. For slaves, it is the worst possible scenario and there is “no creature on God’s earth …more utterly unprotected and desolate”(457) than those who have their kind owner die. This happens to Tom, St. Clare dies and dies before he had the chance to set Tom free. Tom now realizes that he is even further away from being reunited with his wife and children. This chapter is directed towards slave owners because it shows how much being kind impacts the slaves. It shows that if the slaves are treated with respect, then they will respect their owners. The novel is also geared to the general public as well. The public is supposed to feel some sympathy for Tom and how he is even further away from being reunited with his family. The public is supposed to realize that slaves are human with feelings as well.
That's a good point Alysse. I think the idea that respect breeds respect is still valid in 21st century society. Stowe's novel shows how far treating someone with dignity and humanity can go and how awful it can be if they are not treated in such a way.
Yes Aoife, the novel is still relevant to todays day and still has great messages that we should highly consider. Especially of lately there have been so many wrongs in the world. We must take a step back and think about how we as people are treating people. With the Black Lives Matter, I feel like society is taking a step, but baby steps.
Blog Post # 5 Throughout the novel, Stowe's audience ranges from slave, slave masters, and northern abolitionists. In chapter 30- 45, her main audience are salves and northern abolitionists. She appeals because they relate to the characters in the novel because they believe that "these poor creature" must be "set free." (561) As well, by depicting the hardships of slaves, she allows slave to connect with the characters because they relate with one another. These chapters relate to their audience, which thus allows the audience to stay engaged in the novel.
I agree Bella! Stowe's merciless portrayal of slaves compelled thousands, and moved hearts, to see slaves as actual human beings. Stowe defied the norms of 19th century society, and challenged the social norms of the time by condemning the system of slavery and those who partook in the system. According to legend Abraham Lincoln said to Stowe, ""So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war." Stowe's work became a phenomenal hit, and compelled thousands in support of anti-slavery.
Blog Post #2
ReplyDeleteStowe's intended audience is Christian readers who will sympathize with the plight of slaves. Consistent references to "moral and Christian virtues" in the novel, are aimed at a Christian audience, that she believes can help end slavery (234). However, beyond Christians, Stowe's audience consisted of average citizens in both the North and South as she provoked the discussion of slavery in both sections of the nation.
I like what you said about appealing to her Christian audience. Stowe also uses the importance Christianity in her novel to establish ethos. Her Christian audience will likely listen more if they hear about the religion they believe in. This way, they can personally relate to slaves such as Tom who deeply believe in God.
DeleteI agree that Stowe is attempting to appeal to a christian audience especially since she incorporates the bible. Eva later on in the novel says that all people should have the opportunity to read the bible for themselves and establish their own opinions and feelings towards scripture. The readers can feel a connection to Eva and to Tom who as carly says deeply believes in God.
DeleteBy shocking her audience, which as you said comprised of "Christians", Stowe effectively evoked emotional response in her European audience, elliciting sympathy from overseas populations.
DeleteStowe was writing to the northern-state Americans, but the book also enjoyed success in France and England as well. This audience was not the slave-owning sort, and the book helped clarify their abolitionist views. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, more than anything else, moved public opinion in the North against the South at the prologue of the American Civil War.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about expressing abolitionist views for the public. I do agree that Uncle Tom's Cabin does not just target southern slave owners to make a change but it also provides reason and explanation to those who don't have an opinion about slavery for why a change is needed.
DeleteI agree that the audience was more geared toward northern regions, because the novel would not have affected any opinions in the south. Stowe wanted to spread the word, and deep into the true realities of slavery in the South, to prevent progression, and expansion of slavery. Abraham Lincoln advocated for the end of slavery of progressing further into other regions, other than stopping the act of slavery in general, which would not have been stopped by the mass amounts of pro-slavery supporters.
DeleteI agree that this novel was written for Northerners as a way to encourage the civil war. It is not just for the salve owners to encourage them to abolish slavery but for those who didn't own slaves and were against slavery to try and make a difference
DeleteBlog Post #3
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 18-19, Stowe specifically appeals to her audience of slave masters through the story of Prue. "Wish[ing] [she] were dead" (319) so that she'd "be out o' [her] misery" (319), Prue is depressed because her child "cried itself to death" (324). In chapter 19, the reader finds out that Prue was "whipped [...] to death" (327). By appealing to the sympathetic emotions of the reader, Stowe is showing her audience of slave masters the horrors of being a slave, and trying to persuade them to let their slaves go.
I agree, "Stowe specifically appeals to her audience of slave masters through the story of Prue. " she uses pathos to allow her audience to feel sympathy towards her character, thus keeping them engaged.
DeleteBlog Post #4
ReplyDeleteChapter 20-29’s main audience are slave owners and the general public. In chapter 29, St. Clare, Tom’s owner, and someone whom he cares about dearly is on his death bed. For slaves, it is the worst possible scenario and there is “no creature on God’s earth …more utterly unprotected and desolate”(457) than those who have their kind owner die. This happens to Tom, St. Clare dies and dies before he had the chance to set Tom free. Tom now realizes that he is even further away from being reunited with his wife and children. This chapter is directed towards slave owners because it shows how much being kind impacts the slaves. It shows that if the slaves are treated with respect, then they will respect their owners. The novel is also geared to the general public as well. The public is supposed to feel some sympathy for Tom and how he is even further away from being reunited with his family. The public is supposed to realize that slaves are human with feelings as well.
That's a good point Alysse. I think the idea that respect breeds respect is still valid in 21st century society. Stowe's novel shows how far treating someone with dignity and humanity can go and how awful it can be if they are not treated in such a way.
DeleteYes Aoife, the novel is still relevant to todays day and still has great messages that we should highly consider. Especially of lately there have been so many wrongs in the world. We must take a step back and think about how we as people are treating people. With the Black Lives Matter, I feel like society is taking a step, but baby steps.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBlog Post # 5
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel, Stowe's audience ranges from slave, slave masters, and northern abolitionists. In chapter 30- 45, her main audience are salves and northern abolitionists. She appeals because they relate to the characters in the novel because they believe that "these poor creature" must be "set free." (561) As well, by depicting the hardships of slaves, she allows slave to connect with the characters because they relate with one another. These chapters relate to their audience, which thus allows the audience to stay engaged in the novel.
I agree Bella! Stowe's merciless portrayal of slaves compelled thousands, and moved hearts, to see slaves as actual human beings. Stowe defied the norms of 19th century society, and challenged the social norms of the time by condemning the system of slavery and those who partook in the system. According to legend Abraham Lincoln said to Stowe, ""So you're the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war." Stowe's work became a phenomenal hit, and compelled thousands in support of anti-slavery.
Delete