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.
In Chapter 5, Stowe uses a variety of depicted words to describe a specific character, Aunt Chloe, which shows her persona, and is influenced by the choice of words that is used. Aunt Chloe, described as “round” and “black”, but adding the use of “shining” (66) to that description, provides a happy, and joyful vibe that Aunt Chloe spreads around, giving more information about her in just the diction and tone of the text. On the contrary, previous characters don’t seem to be as exuberant, considering how George, a slave, whose life is being drained, and is “burning out of me[him]”(60). This choice of words express how George feels, by using metaphorical and figurative writing, which adds imagery in which the readers can imagine, and relate to. The dialect in the writing of the novel, is also very significant, because when African Americans speak, their English isn't grammatically correct and when Stowe writes a word when an individual of color speaks, such as “sarves”(110) instead of serves, shows the language barrier between races. The diction used in these pages are very intricate, and provide relatable context by the choice of words being used, and the style of writing engages the readers, rather than being dense text with no tone and rhetoric appeals.
I like your point about how the grammatical inaccuracy creates a barrier between the whites and the blacks. I believe that this "slave dialect" is also necessary in accurately portraying the time period, so that the portion of her audience that has never heard "slave dialect" can understand what they sounded like.
Haley, the slave dealer, speaks in unrefined accents; he is clearly a lower-class white man. He says, "I al'ays hates these yer screechin,' screamin' times. They are mighty onpleasant; but, as I manages business, I generally avoids 'em, sir.”
Juxtaposing Haley’s speech, in both enunciation and word use, against those of the refined Mr. Shelby’s, shows the latter man’s to be more genteel and learned. Shelby says, “The fact is, sir, I'm a humane man, and I hate to take the boy from his mother.”
I like your points about the Haley and Mr. Shelby's diction and language. Their language is an important reflection of their social status and level of education. Stowe uses linguistics a tool to depict the contrasting statuses
Stowe's use of a different language for slaves really helps the reader realize that compared to whites, they are not educated. It really helped me realize the different social classes and that whites really did believe that they were more superior. Although hard to read, I really believe it was an important aspect of the novel.
I agree with Aoife that language and the way that one speaks is a reflection of their social status and education. I don't think that Stowe did this to make slaves seem dumb or lower than whites but to show how little they were given. Slaves were not given proper education and therefore were not given an opportunity to flourish as their white peers. It is important for the reader to see how difficult it is to understand the language being used by the african americans is to realize the barriers that were present.
Blog Post #4 Stowe's dicton in her novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, allows her to achieve her purpose of exposing the cruelty of slavery. When referring to Topsy, the child slave, words such as "creature," "depraved," and "goblin" are used (351, 364, 365). These terms show the lack of respect and dignity shown toward slaves, even child slaves, by white owners. In addition to these words, slaves are degraded by whites and called "cruel and wicked" (389). Stowe's diction evokes sympathy as well as disgust from her audience.
I like what you said about the way Stowe describes Topsy. Stowe also repeatedly uses the word "wicked" (twice on page 352 and once on page 359) to describe Topsy. By repeatedly using this word, Stowe makes it clear that this child is very strange. The reader then discovers that the reason she acts this way is because she has experienced such a traumatic life with no family or friends.
Such word choice in initially describing Topsy contrasts with the descriptions of her later on, when she is sad and resentful about her unloved self; she is not "wicked" now, but a "poor child".
This also relates to the character appeal of Topsy, who seems to be a "mischief"(365), but could symbolize rebellion, which in the future, for slaves, becomes a reoccurring act. Topsy breaks the rules, and norms of society, which places an idea, and could possibly foreshadow any possible events in slavery.
After Tom saves Eva from drowning, her father Augustine St. Clare decided to buy Tom to be her personal servant. Tom lucked out because Mr. St. Clare treats his slaves relatively well, his wife on the other hand does not feel the same way towards slaves. At first sight Marie, the wife, says “i know” that Tom will just end up “get[ting] drunk” (237). Marie says this in a way that makes her seem as if she knows everything and knows all salves and their intentions. Marie is ungrateful for the new help and right away tries to find all of the bad things.
That is a good point. Diction is a good indication of our thoughts and what we are truly feeling. In the novel, Marie clearly feels that Tom will not be a beneficial addition and she conveys this through her words. Words, are the manifestation of thoughts and because she does not really have a good attitude towards slaves, it comes out in her spoken words.
This is an interesting thought of diction. You are completely right, through what Marie says it illuminates her opinions on Tom and that she does not have high expectations for him. However her assumptions about him are wrong. He actually is the opposite of what she thinks and cares so much about the St. Clare family. Tom actually catches Mr. St Clare drinking and tells him that he is “good to everybody” but “himself” (307). This shows that Tom is actually very caring of the family and Marie had no reason to assume that Tom was going to be a bad asset to the family.
Blog #5 “Mas’r, if you was sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d give ye my heart’s blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I’d give ’em freely, as the Lord gave his for me.” Tom pleads to not be beaten since he refuses to disclose information about Cassy’s escape. Tom urges with Legree, not to save himself, but for the sake of Legree’s soul. Even as Tom is being degraded, whipped, and tormented, Tom still remains selfless and prays for his oppressor’s soul. This remains the essence of the Christian value of “love thy enemy”. As Stowe portrays the raw image of human vulnerability, and the purity of faith, she reveals the brutal truth of slavery and slaves as real human beings.
--Diction Post #1 Chapters 1-13--
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 5, Stowe uses a variety of depicted words to describe a specific character, Aunt Chloe, which shows her persona, and is influenced by the choice of words that is used. Aunt Chloe, described as “round” and “black”, but adding the use of “shining” (66) to that description, provides a happy, and joyful vibe that Aunt Chloe spreads around, giving more information about her in just the diction and tone of the text. On the contrary, previous characters don’t seem to be as exuberant, considering how George, a slave, whose life is being drained, and is “burning out of me[him]”(60). This choice of words express how George feels, by using metaphorical and figurative writing, which adds imagery in which the readers can imagine, and relate to. The dialect in the writing of the novel, is also very significant, because when African Americans speak, their English isn't grammatically correct and when Stowe writes a word when an individual of color speaks, such as “sarves”(110) instead of serves, shows the language barrier between races. The diction used in these pages are very intricate, and provide relatable context by the choice of words being used, and the style of writing engages the readers, rather than being dense text with no tone and rhetoric appeals.
I like your point about how the grammatical inaccuracy creates a barrier between the whites and the blacks. I believe that this "slave dialect" is also necessary in accurately portraying the time period, so that the portion of her audience that has never heard "slave dialect" can understand what they sounded like.
DeleteHaley, the slave dealer, speaks in unrefined accents; he is clearly a lower-class white man. He says, "I al'ays hates these yer screechin,' screamin' times. They are mighty onpleasant; but, as I manages business, I generally avoids 'em, sir.”
ReplyDeleteJuxtaposing Haley’s speech, in both enunciation and word use, against those of the refined Mr. Shelby’s, shows the latter man’s to be more genteel and learned.
Shelby says, “The fact is, sir, I'm a humane man, and I hate to take the boy from his mother.”
I like your points about the Haley and Mr. Shelby's diction and language. Their language is an important reflection of their social status and level of education. Stowe uses linguistics a tool to depict the contrasting statuses
DeleteStowe's use of a different language for slaves really helps the reader realize that compared to whites, they are not educated. It really helped me realize the different social classes and that whites really did believe that they were more superior. Although hard to read, I really believe it was an important aspect of the novel.
DeleteI agree with Aoife that language and the way that one speaks is a reflection of their social status and education. I don't think that Stowe did this to make slaves seem dumb or lower than whites but to show how little they were given. Slaves were not given proper education and therefore were not given an opportunity to flourish as their white peers. It is important for the reader to see how difficult it is to understand the language being used by the african americans is to realize the barriers that were present.
DeleteBlog Post #4
ReplyDeleteStowe's dicton in her novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, allows her to achieve her purpose of exposing the cruelty of slavery. When referring to Topsy, the child slave, words such as "creature," "depraved," and "goblin" are used (351, 364, 365). These terms show the lack of respect and dignity shown toward slaves, even child slaves, by white owners. In addition to these words, slaves are degraded by whites and called "cruel and wicked" (389). Stowe's diction evokes sympathy as well as disgust from her audience.
I like what you said about the way Stowe describes Topsy. Stowe also repeatedly uses the word "wicked" (twice on page 352 and once on page 359) to describe Topsy. By repeatedly using this word, Stowe makes it clear that this child is very strange. The reader then discovers that the reason she acts this way is because she has experienced such a traumatic life with no family or friends.
DeleteSuch word choice in initially describing Topsy contrasts with the descriptions of her later on, when she is sad and resentful about her unloved self; she is not "wicked" now, but a "poor child".
DeleteThis also relates to the character appeal of Topsy, who seems to be a "mischief"(365), but could symbolize rebellion, which in the future, for slaves, becomes a reoccurring act. Topsy breaks the rules, and norms of society, which places an idea, and could possibly foreshadow any possible events in slavery.
Delete- Diction Post #3 Chapters 18-19 -
ReplyDeleteAfter Tom saves Eva from drowning, her father Augustine St. Clare decided to buy Tom to be her personal servant. Tom lucked out because Mr. St. Clare treats his slaves relatively well, his wife on the other hand does not feel the same way towards slaves. At first sight Marie, the wife, says “i know” that Tom will just end up “get[ting] drunk” (237). Marie says this in a way that makes her seem as if she knows everything and knows all salves and their intentions. Marie is ungrateful for the new help and right away tries to find all of the bad things.
That is a good point. Diction is a good indication of our thoughts and what we are truly feeling. In the novel, Marie clearly feels that Tom will not be a beneficial addition and she conveys this through her words. Words, are the manifestation of thoughts and because she does not really have a good attitude towards slaves, it comes out in her spoken words.
DeleteThis is an interesting thought of diction. You are completely right, through what Marie says it illuminates her opinions on Tom and that she does not have high expectations for him. However her assumptions about him are wrong. He actually is the opposite of what she thinks and cares so much about the St. Clare family. Tom actually catches Mr. St Clare drinking and tells him that he is “good to everybody” but “himself” (307). This shows that Tom is actually very caring of the family and Marie had no reason to assume that Tom was going to be a bad asset to the family.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBlog #5
ReplyDelete“Mas’r, if you was sick, or in trouble, or dying, and I could save ye, I’d give ye my heart’s blood; and, if taking every drop of blood in this poor old body would save your precious soul, I’d give ’em freely, as the Lord gave his for me.” Tom pleads to not be beaten since he refuses to disclose information about Cassy’s escape. Tom urges with Legree, not to save himself, but for the sake of Legree’s soul. Even as Tom is being degraded, whipped, and tormented, Tom still remains selfless and prays for his oppressor’s soul. This remains the essence of the Christian value of “love thy enemy”. As Stowe portrays the raw image of human vulnerability, and the purity of faith, she reveals the brutal truth of slavery and slaves as real human beings.