Tom

Uncle Tom’s Cabin: a Representative of American

Abolitionist Literature

By

Zhao Qian

A Thesis Presented to the School of Continuing Education

Xi’ an International Studies University

As Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Degree of

Bachelor of Arts

Oct, 1st, 2014

Class＿＿Two＿＿

Grade＿2013

Advisor＿Zhang Wei

Abstract

American abolitionist movement from the early 18th century to the middle of the 19th century has been carried. From the early 18th century, insight, advances writers have published works condemned of slavery in the newspapers, magazines and other publications, to the climax in the 1830s. Poems published poet, writer published novels were flogging over Slavery. The most Abolitionists literature representative works are Uncle Tom's Cabin by Mrs. Stowe. This work successfully depicts the role of Uncle Tom, has great significance and value. Uncle Tom's Cabin was later translated into more than twenty languages and sold an astounding 1.5 million copies worldwide. Reportedly greeted by Abraham Lincoln as "the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war" in an 1862 visit to the White House, Stowe immediately reached iconic status for her phenomenally successful and provoking depiction of the horrors of slavery.Uncle Tom's Cabi n provides a compelling representation of the complex and highly fraught abolitionist movement. Stowe's novel, which would become the most recognizable abolitionist title, emerged from an already well-established tradition of literary projects that sought to end slavery and it played a role in the negotiation of various political agendas within the movement itself.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction (4)

2. The Origin and Development of Abolitionist Literature (5)

2.1 Background............................................................. (5)

2.2The Development of Abolitionist Literature (6)

3. Uncle Tom's Cabin: a Representative of Abolitionist Literature (7)

3.1 The Birth of Uncle Tom's Cabin (7)

3.2 Mrs. Stowe and Uncle Tom's Cabin (9)

4. The Literature Value of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (11)

4.1 The Literature Value of Uncle Tom's Cabin (11)

4.2 The Literature Evaluation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (12)

4.3Using Two Main Wording, ―Contrast‖ Effect (13)

5. Conclusion (14)

References (15)

1. Introduction

Harriet Beecher Stowe is an American Writer,（June 14, 1811 – July 1, 1896）The novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was published in 1852 about an anti-slavery novel. the novel is the best-selling novel of the 19th century and is considered a major reason to stimulated rise of abolitionism in 1850. Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe was the daughter of a famous American Preachers, Dr. Lyman Beecher, and born of good New England, at Litchfield, Conn.She is a teacher of Hartford Female Academy at the same time; she is also an active abolitionist.

The book revolves around a suffering slaves Uncle Tom's the story, and described him and around them experience both slaves and slaveholders. This deeply sentimental novel depicts the cruel essentially of slavery; and that the Christian love can overcome slavery fellow human beings brought about the various injuries. Uncle Tom’s Cabin shocked the reading public with its portrayal of an entire society corrupted by slavery—male and female, free and enslaved, enlightened and bigoted, young and old, educated and ignorant, northern and southern, black and white. The novel reveals the evil effects of the slave system on everyone it touches: it corrupts people who are good and noble in other respects into the belief that slaves are not fully human. Reportedly greeted by Abraham Lincoln as "the little woman who wrote the book that made this Great War" in an 1862 visit to the White House.

But in the decades after it’s published, the literary critics have denied the Uncle Tom's Cabin and other sentimental novels show of this style, a literary critics believes that if the novel and Slavery no association, but it is a common sentimental fiction. However, in 1985, Jane Tompkins in her landmark In Sensational Designs: The Cultural Work of American Fiction, a book has changed this view. Tompkins was praised other critics who refuse to recognized the sentimental style, and suggested that sentimental novels show women's emotions have the power to improve the world.It is not only the booster of literature, but also the fuse of political. it is the foundation for social transformation On the other hand, literature can also be political in its own way to respond to these responses may be unified and politics, it may be a difference of

even a boycott. Therefore, it will make an objective and impartial analysis of the literary value and evaluation of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

2. The Origin and Development of Abolitionist Literature

The North American colonial economic it is the process of development was shipped from Africa in the extensive use of black slavery formed The North American slavery system.For that time democratic ideology and spiritual beliefs of idealists, the enslavement of blacks is undoubtedly the most heinous acts.

They strongly advocated the abolition of slavery, established abolitionist organization to promote freedom of thought and take positive action to help slaves escape from the slaveholder’s manor.Abolitionist movement nationwide vigorously carried out. Abolitionist movement emerged group of outstanding novels, poetry and prose expression of the people resolutely abolish slavery, advocated all men are created equal wishes and requirements to become a period of in American literature fighting chapter.

2.1. Background

The rise and development of American abolitionist literature the darkness brutal of African Americans of slavery, from the date of its birth it was opposed by advocates of social justice and progressive people. In the Anti - Slavery struggle gradually formed organized abolitionist movement. Some of the early abolitionist in their pamphlet written to protest against of slavery ，such as the in 1700 by Samuel repair Earl sell Joseph, in 1754 by John Wu Erma’s slavery high knock and Samuel Hopkins' dialogue on African slavery are famous abolitionist literature.

The American Revolution enlightenment thinker Benjamin Franklin，Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine point to the American colonial rule and the Negro slavery. In 1775 Paine has published African Slavery in America article in the newspaper. Jefferson drafted the originals Declaration of Independence There was a condemnation of slavery in the text, but was later deleted. In 1775, the first American local anti-slavery group in Philadelphia was founded, its leaders is Franklin. In 1794 abolitionist held its first National People's Congress in Philadelphia, the meeting of

slavery and the slave trade were condemned.

2.2. The Development of Abolitionist Literature

After entering the 19th century, the United States advances statesman and intellectuals as the main left-wing bourgeois, has been constantly engaged against slavery, hard fight for the abolition of slavery. Abolitionist literature the efforts are reflected in the literature. During the transition period and the early abolitionist movement between the late abolitionist movements, there is a persistent activist to carry out the work --- abolitionist Benjamin Lundy. In 1821, he founded the famous abolitionist newspaper universal emancipation thought,abolitionist propaganda carried out extensive work, played a remarkable role in the anti-slavery struggle against the United States in the early 19th century, played a role in the past and. Abolitionists in great momentum propaganda war to slavery was launched a fierce offensive. A large number of books and newspapers issued abolitionist, resounding success campaign.

From 1837 ~ 1838, the American Anti-Slavery National Association published a total of 7,877 books, 47,250 pamphlets and articles, 4100 leaflets and 10,490 copies printed. Friends of the Slave, published annually 131,050 copies of human rights was published 189,400 copies annually, aims to release slaves published annually 217,000 copies. In addition, there are more than 100 kinds of anti-slavery newspaper. Abolitionist organization works using abolitionists attacked arresting fugitive slave law, condemned the slave trade, the liberation of the slaves, in order to improve the situation of blacks were useful work. Longfellow, Whittier these famous poets, scholars were writing some prominent abolitionist poems, such as Longfellow's poems criticizing slavery slavery articles (Poems on Slavery), Whittier as justice and expediency, progress made in the course abolitionist problem, voice of freedom were merciless slavery were flogging.

The late 1830s, first with the novel form to express the theme of the abolitionist Richard Held Andres, 1836 he is the author of the novel White Slave is the first abolitionist novel. The late 1830s, first with the novel form to express the theme of the abolitionist Richard Held Andres, 1836 he is the author of the novel White Slave

is the first abolitionist novel.The 1950s, another women authoress Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, pushed the abolitionist novel to a climax.

Following the Uncle Tom's Cabin, black novelist William Brown's novel Chloe McIntyre, or the daughter of the presiden t, Frederick Douglass autobiographical trilogy, Frederick Douglass life readme belong to the scope of the abolitionist novel, most of them is through the tragic fate of slaves to achieve the purpose of the description of accused of slavery.

3. Uncle Tom's Cabin: a Representative of Abolitionist Literature

3.1 The Birth of Uncle Tom's Cabin

The passage of the Fugitive Slave Act energized the abolitionist movement in the North. Most northerners opposed the institution of slavery, but many had taken no active steps against it. One of the most famous works in American literature appeared at this time. It too addressed the question of slavery and fueled the spirit of abolition. .Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe （June 14, 1811 – July 1, 1896）was an American abolitionist and author. Her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was a depiction of life for African Americans under slavery; it reached millions as a novel and play, and became influential in the United States and United Kingdom. It energized anti-slavery forces in the American North, while provoking widespread anger in the South. She wrote more than 20 books, including novels; three travel memoirs, and collections of articles and letters. She was influential both for her writings and her public stands on social issues of the day.

Harriet Beecher Stowe was born June 14, 1811, the seventh child of a famous protestant preacher. In 1832, the family moved south to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was within easy reach of the slave states, and gained her intimate knowledge of the life she was to describe. She married there Professor Stowe, of Lane College, in 1836—an eventful year, when his house was often in danger from its association with the "underground railway" that helped the slaves to escape north. A few years later her husband had become professor at Andover, Mass., and the slave movement had reached a further crisis, when she began the story that was to move every country in

Europe and give her international and world-wide fame.

Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in Cincinnati and slavery rampant across the Ohio River in Kentucky, reflecting the intense struggle day abolitionist and keep slaves two systems have seen, often heard. From the slave revolt in 1831 to 1850 occurred in the South between, every year a variety of events, not the slave killed, that is slavery activists were killed, the slaves were forced to flee when things will not happen, there are many slaves risking death from Ohio River to swim to escape, Stouffer and her husband, brothers, and sisters have saved some niggers try and make them free, Stowe couple had used a pistol to protect a slave girl escaped slave hunt.

Harriet Beecher Stowe was the housewives, but she believes in Christ, kind-hearted, miserable fate of slaves’ attention and solicitude, cherished. She met a black preacher, who was a slave; see his arms whipped disability, her heart throbbing. Her father's church school is the center of local abolitionist movement, and many slaves escaped from slavery manor often settled first in their school, and then be transported to the north to go.

Harriet Beecher Stowe himself because of a relative's estate had to slave life in a few days, though she did not live permanently in the south, but from a slave to her often describe the scene there, so the slaves' lives have more comprehensive and profound understanding of slavery's evil deeds make her unforgettable. In 1850, she had had enough of the brutality of many slave owners; desire to make a complaint against them, like fire, burn her entire body and mind. End with the "Fugitive Slave Law" came into effect.

The Act provides that non-Southerners if sheltered from the south run away nigger must bear legal responsibility. The Act also provides that where not to participate in the hunt a slave, slavery does not support person will be recognized as "treason." Suddenly, a ripple, every day, many people go to Bernstorff people to talk to their misfortune, and some family members about dying, and some creepy about the inhuman situation ...... this, Stowe Mrs. anger emotion, plus she's a sister, two brothers were encouraged her to pick up the pen to expose the scandal of slavery, called for the whole society to care and emancipation of slaves.

Mrs. Stowe felt can no longer silent, and she was determined to use a pen to record it all, own hands this backward of slavery burial. She gave the Washington a newspaper said: Today, she thinks the time has come to this, either women or children, as long as say a word for freedom and humanity, they should to speak up. Carthage women in the country when the former is in danger, put his hair cut down to the soldiers do bowstring. Now, enveloped in this land of crisis and disgrace, ancient Rome's of slavery even more.

Therefore, Mrs. Stowe hopes that every woman is not capable of writing in silence anymore....... Just start writing near a Sunday morning, in an interview with Holy Communion, Mrs. Stowe's mind suddenly appeared Uncle Tom was beaten to death scenes, she really can not restrain that kind of passion, then ran back home, the painting scenes recorded. A few days later at night, she is done behind closed doors housework has been written into the night. Uncle Tom's tragedy like an irresistible tide, unbroken coming to her face. Harriet Beecher Stowe says that God guided her writing.

She was almost too late to use punctuation when writing, just follow the thoughts away, complete manuscript written part, had a chance to check, he gave the manuscript was sent out. The first part of the novel was originally published in the June 8, 1851 When an abolitionist weekly Washington Post, "the era of nation", the immediately aroused great interest and attention of readers, and since then period of serial. To the April 1, 1852, Mrs. Stowe finally completed the impact of historical masterpiece.

3.2 Mrs. Stowe and Uncle Tom's Cabin

Harriet Beecher was born June 14, 1811, the seventh child of a famous protestant preacher. Harriet worked as a teacher with her older sister Catharine: her earliest publication was geography for children, issued under her sister's name in 1833. In 1836, Harriet married widower Calvin Stowe they eventually had seven children. Stowe helped to support her family financially by writing for local and religious periodicals. During her life, she wrote poems, travel books, biographical sketches, and children's books, as well as adult novels. She met and corresponded with people as

varied as Lady Byron, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and George Eliot. She died at the age of 85, in Hartford Connecticut.

While she wrote at least ten adult novels, Harriet Beecher Stowe is predominantly known for her first, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852). Begun as a serial for the Washington anti-slavery weekly, the National Era, it focused public interest on the issue of slavery, and was deeply controversial. In writing the book, Stowe drew on her personal experience: she was familiar with slavery, the antislavery movement, and the Underground Railroad because Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio, where Stowe had lived, was a slave state.

Following publication of the book, she became a celebrity, speaking against slavery both in America and Europe. She wrote A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin (1853) extensively documenting the realities on which the book was based, to refute critics who tried to argue that it was inauthentic; and published a second anti-slavery novel, Dared in1856. In 1862, when she visited President Lincoln, legend claims that he greeted her as "the little lady who made this big war" the War Between the States. Campaigners for other social changes, such as Caroline Norton, respected and drew upon her work.

The historical significance of Stowe's antislavery writing has tended to draw attention away from her other work, and from her work's literary significance. Her work is admittedly uneven. At its worst, it indulges in a romanticized Christian sensibility that was much in favor with the audience of her time, but that finds little sympathy or credibility with modern readers.

At her best, Stowe was a early and effective realist. Her settings are often accurately and detailed described. Her portraits of local social life, particularly with minor characters, reflect an awareness of the complexity of the culture she lived in, and an ability to communicate that culture to others. In her commitment to realism, and her serious narrative use of local dialect, Stowe predated works like Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn by 30 years, and influenced later regionalist writers including Sarah Oren Jewett and Mary Wilkins Freeman.

4. The Value of Uncle Tom's Cabin

4.1The Literature Value of Uncle Tom's Cabin

As the first has been widely circulated political novel in the United States. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is not only has had a huge influence on the development of American literature.，but also widely influenced the development of protest literature. Then Upton Sinclair's Jungle Prince and Rachel Carson's Silent Spring are subject to Uncle Tom's Cabin found impact on the works.

First of all, Uncle Tom's Cabin is widely recognized by society after publication, selling as unprecedented. Uncle Tom's Cabin first published in serial manner on time Washington has a tendency to anti-slavery newspaper National Era, the reader should request written voluminous novel, and in 1852 three officially published. After selling novel was published, the 10 Moonlight on sale in the United States to reach 150,000; was published within a year, sales of 300,000, a wide repertoire of unprecedented to the end of 1852.

There are critics pointed out that the in 19th Century American fiction will become the best-selling novel. Moreover, the novel will soon be translated into at least 23 languages, and was adapted into a screenplay various languages around the world show. It follows that, if high historical value alone novel, and in the literary writing shoddy, can never be so popular. Obviously, the novel has a very high value in literature, it is undoubted.

Secondly, the shape have feelings, and Virtue, there is wisdom in the black image. Uncle Tom's Cabin for the first time succeeded in shaping the image of flesh and blood of black slaves. Mrs. Stowe think that these people are not slave owners and white racists are described by the mind dull ignorance people, but not "talking animals." In her writings are, Uncle Tom, Cello aunt, George Harris, Elisa · Cathy and other character of men and women of different Characters, very cute, very respectable. At the time, even in slavery advocates abandoned the north, the black man and white man said to be the same definition, is not a very easy thing to do.

But women writers in Uncle Tom's Cabin by exquisite technique, depicting slaves are very thoughts and feelings of people, their lives, although full of misery and frustrations, but the inner world of feelings flowing out sincere and moving, no less than whites. For example, the novel highlights scored Tom before money unmoved honesty and Harris inventions ingenuity. Again, the novel depicts between Tom and Master Shelby built up beyond color, race, and social class and friendly feelings. Clearly, succeed in literary writers writing the novel to win the lot of readers.

4.2The Evaluation of Uncle Tom's Cabin

Conscientiously reviewed the about American literary history and Literary Review of the many writings, found to possess a large number of readers of Uncle Tom's Cabin in China, it seems that position in the American literary scene is not high. For the literary value of the novel it was more praise, but there are a considerable number of people dismissed it. In China more influential of American literature or the American literature Comments describes the book, attitude "Uncle Tom's Cabin,"a book showed significantly different.

For example, in Foreign Literature, American Literature Studies, History of American literature and ar t and 20 American novels Comment, the literary point of view are given from Uncle Tom's Cabin, a certain status. However, in the history of modern American fiction, American Modern Novels, Dictionary of Contemporary of American literature,T he novel tells the fifty United States and U.S. epoch-making work, a collection and other works, the novel actually does not mention it. American Literature Studies also expressed his Uncle Tom's Cabin,the low point of literary position.

American writers in the 19th century, the article begins with the names listed in the United States before the Civil War did not mention Mrs. Stowe. Article explained: The Uncle Tom's Cabin can not be said to have been forgotten for many years, has repeatedly been mentioned at least in China, but mainly for political reasons, have often included schools and universities in the United States read the bibliography, but mostly as historical data, not the literary classic .Of course, with different views on the literary value of a novel is very normal. But can not see where

it's literary value, not entirely appropriate.

4.3Using Two Main W ording “Contrast" Effects

Uncle Tom's Cabin has two main lines: Tom and George Harris. The authors used relatively a strong pen portrayed Tom goodness kind of character, but he blindly submissive. Even if the slave owners of their hands several times or there are often subjected slave owners and the foreman of the beatings never resist. in order not to make the other slaves continue to be sold, he would rather be sold individually bear the misfortune. When he completed in order to help a sick slave girl to get the quota picking cotton, Tom gives his basket to the girl and Simon Legree found that. He was whipped and kicks the slave, to this end, Simon Legree commanded two thugs hit with a whip blasted to Tom, Then Tom to help a slave girl to escaped, but was beaten to death by slave owners.

In another line, the novel depicts George Harris and his family the courage to challenges destiny, to come forward and fight against slavery final fled to the northern free zone, and get the family reunion. Stowe originality to put two lines interspersed talk, often makes two lines directly in stark contrast. Fiction scenes ingenious design, vivid language, plot expand naturally, so that readers understand the story from the novel to which the profound meaning. Therefore, the writing style inevitably increases the appeal of literary fiction. Accordingly, the novel regarded as a literary work has a huge impact, as well as one of the most popular 19th-century American novels.

5. Conclusion

The role of Uncle Tom's Cabin has played in the history of only a handful of other novels can match. The book is dominated by a single theme: the evil and immorality of slavery. When Mrs. Stowe writes secondary theme in her written word - for example, the mother's moral authority and the possibility of salvation provided by Christian - she will emphasize the link between these themes and the horror of slavery between. Almost every page in the novel, Mrs. Stowe are actively promoting the "slavery immoral" theme, sometimes she even change the tone of narrative to the people, "sermon" slavery destroyed nature (for example, in the southern state of carrying ships Tom went on, there is a white woman says: slavery of the most scariest aspect of is that trampled on the feelings and affection such as breaking up other people's flesh and blood) by slaves others break up the family system portrayed .Mrs. Stowe's novel shows of slavery evil. Human beings are created equal and have the right to equality and the pursuit of democracy. We must abolish slavery to make the tragedy repeated again.

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