Extra Credit Blog: Response to Cat in the Rain

            In “Cat in the Rain”, a short story written by Ernest Hemingway, an American couple-stuck in a lifeless marriage- are vacationing in Italy. The American wife, in particular, is unhappy and restless, in both her marriage and the vacation. In order to ease her desolation and restlessness, she devotes time into saving a cat from in the rain. By rescuing the cat from the rain, the American wife is reflects her desire to be saved from her own marriage.

           The circumstances between the wife and the cat are like those of a parent and a child. Many parents put their own youthful hopes and dreams on their children. The American wife does just that by placing her desire to get out of her marriage and her current life onto the cat in the rain. While the wife can't change her own story, she'd like to save the cat from a less than happy life in the rain. By saving the cat from the rain, the American wife presents herself like a parent hoping for a better future for their child than their own. 

            The American wife’s determination to save the cat symbolizes her longing for freedom. While setting the scene for the American wife and the cat, Hemingway makes many references to water surrounding both of them. For instance, while the American wife stands in front of the window looking out “rain dripped from the palm trees” and the “sea broke in a long line in the rain.” By referencing numerous sources of water around her, her lack of freedom is represented. Because while she is confined in the hotel, the world is going on around her.  Similar to the cat, the American wife is stuck under a table of her own in the rain, “trying to make herself so compact that she would not be dripped on.”  The cat in the rain alludes to her position in an isolated marriage; she wants to move away and leave her current situation, but stays there in fear of getting hurt in the process. As a result, since she can’t find the courage to save herself she wants to instead save the cat in the rain from a miserable existence instead. The American wife sees herself reflected in the cat in the rain.

            Initially, the American wife is presented as an altruistic cat rescuer, however, her cover story has little to do with her actions. It isn’t until later on that her true reasoning is revealed. While she is stuck in a hapless marriage, she wants to at least save the cat in the rain from its own hapless situation. Ultimately, her decision reflects her own desire to be saved as well. 

Short Fiction: A Response to Hillbilly Elegy

          In Dorothy Allison's memoir Two or Three Things, she expresses the complexities of her family.  Allison describes a school assignment she had as a young girl to make a family tree. She summarizes this segment of her life earlier on as "two or three things, I know for sure, and one of them is the way you can both hate and love something you are not sure you understand" (7). Her claim appears to stem from the fact as much as she loves her family she hates them too. Their un-traditional makeup and origins are beyond her understanding so she finds herself hating her family. As her mother states, "Around her parentage is even more dangerous than politics" (10). In other words, the discussion on family makeups is like stepping into uncharted waters. On the other hand, she loves them for reasons she can't fathom. All she sees is the good in her family, which is seen when she asks her mother, "Why is it to dangerous" (10). Through her memory of making a family tree, Allison reveals the feelings that make up her family. 

         In my own experience, I can say the making (or the attempt to make) a family tree has revealed to me how I perceive my family. When making a family tree often times you find yourself learning truths that skew the view of your family, as was the case of Allison. Unlike Allison, whose family truths had to do with lineage, I found mine more in learning the about the types of people I actually come from. However, like Allison, I still find myself loving family members of the past and those of the present even if I don't understand it myself. And sometimes I have some loathing for reasons unknown to myself. Learning about your background can skew one's understanding of their family, and allow them to love and hate at the same time. 

         Overall, I believe my analyzing Allison's perception of her family and my own the importance of a family institution is seen. Allison summarizes the dynamic of family strongly with her quote. Family can be both loved and hated even if you don't fully understand the origins of your feelings. 

         

Beloved: Literary Analysis

Undoubtedly, slavery is one of the most immoral practices known to man. In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Toni Morrison’s Beloved, slavery is one of the main themes of their stories. However, because slavery had many associations throughout each novel, I decided to focus on the evil of slavery. While Stowe and Morrison don’t directly state that slavery creates an outcome of evilness, they do provide many situations where it can be subtly acknowledged.

            Throughout both novels, many relationships between slaves and their owners are portrayed. Some of them better than others, as is the case between Eliza Harris and Mrs. Shelby, St. Clare and Tom, Miss Ophelia and Topsy, etc. Relationships between Sethe and Mrs. Garner, and Paul D and Mr. Garner can be among those generally better as well. On the other hand, there are even more cases where relationships are much worse, as is the case with many of Stowe’s characters including: Marie St. Clare and all the slaves on the property, Mr. Shelby and Tom, Legree and Tom, etc., along with the majority of Morrisons characters such as Sethe and Schoolteacher, Mr. Garner and the Sweet Home boys, and Sixo and Schoolteacher. Through the latter listed character relationships, the evil slavery creates can be seen through stages in each novel.

            The evil of slavery is introduced early on in both of novels through their respective characters. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin, readers are drawn into the theme through Mr. Shelby, Mr. Haley, Eliza, and Harry. Upon seeing young Harry, Mr. Haley, the slave trader, tells Mr. Shelby, “Fling in that chap and I’ll settle the business- I will” (4). This interact displays the evilness of slavery by so easily talking about buying and selling a child. In this scene, the boy isn’t even seen as a boy, but a thing- an object. On top of all this, there is no regard given towards his family- their feelings, thoughts, or reactions. None whatsoever. Altogether, Mr. Haley and Mr. Shelby’s discussion comes across as because it casually takes about removing a child from his home and family without any thought given towards Harry’s well-being. A similar situation occurs in Beloved between Sethe and Schoolteacher’s boys while Sethe recalls a time during her pregnancy at Sweet Home. She goes on to reveal that “[Schoolteacher’s] boys came in. . . And took my milk. That’s what they came in there for. Held me down and took it” (19). Here it becomes evident that the evil of slavery is illustrated by denying a mother from her biological and social right to care for her child. Even though she was beat while pregnant, the fact that they took her breast milk was the bigger of the two evils committed against her− she too was seen as an object rather than a person just like young Harry. Between both novels, the authors illustrate the wickedness of slavery through showing their characters as simple objects amongst slave owners.

            The evil of slavery continues to progress to more dramatic levels as the story goes on. It reaches news levels when Marie St. Clare is introduced. The first few words Marie says are “it’s we mistresses that are the slaves, down here” (153) and “[the slaves are] selfish-dreadfully selfish; it’s the fault of the whole race” (153). Her words come across as ignorant and blinded from reality. Marie, herself, is the exact opposite of a slave. She lives to be doted upon every minute of her life. For her to compare herself to a slave shows how slavery has evolved people (slave owners) morals and ethics so horribly. Likewise, a group of farmers tell Mr. Garner, “Ain’t no nigger men” (12). Their statement, like Marie’s, comes across as very ignorant and blinded from reality. Clearly, people who were slaves at the time where human beings. However, their denial shows how slavery dehumanized the entire being of slaves. As their stories continue, Stowe and Morrison manage to present the evil of slavery in more shocking ways.

            Death can be seen as the most heinous connection to slavery. Towards the end novel, Tom is brought by Mr. Legree, a vicious slave owner, who has no hesitancy in violently disciplining his slaves. Tom, in particular, becomes the target of this anger when “. . . the spirit of evil came back, with seven-fold vehemence; and Legree, foaming with rage, smote his victim to the ground” (374). This moment leads to Tom’s inevitable death. However, the evil of slavery can be seen through the death of Tom and other slave because they’re good people. Tom didn’t deserve to die; he died protecting his friends and values. In comparison, Sethe’s history reveals that she as “a pretty little slavegirl had recognized a hat, and split to the woodshed to kill her children” (186). Ultimately, she only managed to kill her youngest child, Beloved. Yet her actions go to show that even the most innocent of people are not protected against slavery. An innocent slave’s demise, like Tom’s and Beloved’s, represents the utmost evil of slavery.

            Throughout Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Beloved, Stowe and Morrison use the theme of slavery to illustrate how it creates evilness. When the relationships between the slave owners and the slaves themselves are looked at both at the surface and underneath, the evil that lingers from the practice of slavery can be found. With each interaction, from small to large, the evil of slavery can be seen increasingly. Overall, its significance rests in the fact that slavery manages to manipulate and sway people away from true morals and ethics. 

Works Cited

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. London: Vintage, 2010. Print.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher., and Elizabeth Ammons. Uncle Tom's cabin: Authoritative Text Backgrounds and Contexts Criticism. New York: Norton, 2010. Print.

Beloved: Reader Response

         Based on customer reviews alone, it is safe to say Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved is very well received. Through a 5 star system, readers of the novel have expressed their like or dislike of the novel publicly for many years. By comparing the results between sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Good Reads, a 4 star rating is very common and expected for Beloved. While the majority of readers view the book highly, they deducted stars due to the author, her writing style, and the content of the story.

            For certain readers of Beloved, they allowed their own personal expectations and grievances of the author and the content of the novel to sway their overall judgment of novel. For example, Jessica, a Good Reads reviewer who rated the novel at 4 stars said, “I feel like people who haven't read her believe that Morrison writes these lovely, lyrical, ladylike books that will soften the heart and elevate the soul.... and I mean, I guess in a way she does, but these lovely books will give you seriously deranged nightmares.” Her statement goes to show that some readers are reacting to Morrison’s novels by what they expect from her and not the true content of the story. Jessica further goes on to say, “A lot of people just loathe her [Morrison] . . . Some girl on here was like ‘Ugh! Beastiality, rape, torture, and infanticide. . . Toni Morrsion is DISGUSTING!’ Her account of another reviewers feelings sheds light on the fact that many some readers aren’t open-minded to the story at all. And that in itself can affect how Beloved is rated by reviewers.

            On the other hand, many readers who enjoyed the story lowered their ratings due to trouble understanding the novel. For instance, a reviewer named Anonymous on Barnes and Noble said, “Haunting and vivid. It is an incredible story, though it’s occasionally slow. But completely worth it.” Anonymous went on to rate the novel with 4 stars. The review goes to show that while Anonymous enjoyed the book the moment the wiring style became slow their rating of the novel went down. This trend is again seen through Kasey, a reviewer from Amazon who gave the novel 4 stars stated, “It is written like a stream of consciousness. I enjoyed the writing style but found it difficult to follow at times.” Kasey’s statement, along with Anonymous’ further supports the fact that despite liking the novel, trouble with the writing style prompted readers to demote the novel of higher star ratings.

Works Cited

Kasey. "It Is Written Like a Stream of Conscientiousness." Amazon. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2017.

Morrison, Toni, and Anonymous. "Beloved." Barnes & Noble. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2017.

Morrison, Toni, and Jesscia. "Beloved." Goodreads. N.p., 26 Jan. 2009. Web. 04 May 2017.

Beloved:Contemporary Connections

          In contemporary times, racial issues and tension are just as evident now as they were in the past. Throughout America today, despite much progress, racism not only continues but young adults are becoming color-blind towards the issue itself. By looking at Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Toni Morrison’s Beloved, a connection can be made from both novels in regards to these ever present issues and how the public today perceives them.

            From both novels, readers become aware that racism is always present despite everyone’s best efforts to forget. Characters, like Eva from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, blatantly treats all slaves like human beings. She acts ahead of her time, and dismisses the ideologies she is supposed to follow. For instance, Eva tells Topsy, “People can love you, if you are black” (Stowe 245), and even reveals that she herself loves Topsy. However, even though characters and people like Eva exist it doesn’t rid the world of racism. According to Laura D. Blackburne, the Chair of The Crisis Board of Directors in her article “American Racism Continues” she states, “For more than 500 years, racism and second-class status have formed the reality for Americans of African ancestry.” This is today’s truth. Through Stowe’s novel we see that the love and acceptance of one person does not immediately evoke the change we hope for. Even more so, in Beloved, we see characters like Sethe who wish to forget the world of racism that exists in the world. She does this by not informing Denver of her past life as a slave. Sethe’s strategy to move forward isn’t the best one, because “Thinking of yourself as color-blind can make it harder to see that America is a country riddled with systematic inequalities,” says writer Victor Luckerson in his article “Millennials Can’t Afford to Be Color-Blind about Race.” In this case, Seth’s actions can make it harder for Denver to understand that there is more to life than what her mother exposes her to. This situation from Beloved informs people that even today in 2017, people blind themselves to racism in hopes of protecting themselves and others, however, it only prevents someone from being met with the inevitable. Together, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Beloved illustrate the unwavering view of racism that has yet to change to this day.

Works Citied

Blackburne, Laura D. "American Racism Continues." Crisis (15591573), vol. 121, no. 3, Summer2014, p. 5. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.uwc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,cpid&custid=s5805083&db=a9h&AN=97471587&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Luckerson, Victor. "Millennials Can't Afford to Be Color-Blind about Race." Time, vol. 186, no. 3, 20 July 2015, pp. 25-26. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.uwc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,ip,cpid&custid=s5805083&db=a9h&AN=103735561&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. London: Vintage, 2010. Print.

Beloved: Critical Commentary

           In Peter J. Capuano’s article “Truth in Timbre: Morrison’s Extension of Slave Narrative Song in Beloved,” he claims Morrison uses songs in order to show readers the humanity of her characters. I believe Capuano’s interpretation is clearly seen in the novel. Capuano stated, “Beloved’s victims use song to reclaim and affirm their personhood in an aggressively inhumane world” (98). This goes to show that the only way for the slaves in Beloved to truly express themselves is through song. Their actions and spoken words couldn’t be their own but that of their slave owners and oppressors. However, the combination of song and singing belonged to the slave and those oppressed, and became their own form of acceptance, communication and identity to express themselves as group of people in a world of hate. For example, Capuano brings up the neighborhood women singing for Sethe. He goes on to say that, “the ‘singing women’ in this section confirm Sethe’s re-instatement into the neighborhood, into motherhood, and most importantly, into humanity” (102). Furthermore, goes to show that through the act of singing those who were slaves and those currently oppressed used it to ground themselves and others.

            Capuano’s interpretation of the text adds to the understanding of the novel by establishing the importance of a custom that many readers may have overlooked in Beloved. While the general public usually associates slaves with narrative songs, the significance between the two is often lost. However, Morrison manages to subtly bring to light the connection song has on the humanity of her characters. 

Works Cited

Dobbs, Cynthia. “Toni Morrison's Beloved: Bodies Returned, Modernism Revisited.” African American Review, vol. 32, no. 4, 1998, pp. 563–578., www.jstor.org/stable/2901237.

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. London: Vintage, 2010. Print.

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Works Cited

Baym, Nina, gen. ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. 2.
New York: Norton, 2012. Print.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher. “Uncle Tom's Cabin (Barnes & Noble Classics Series).” Barnes & Noble, 22 Aug. 2007, www.barnesandnoble.com/w/uncle-toms-cabin-harriet-beecher-stowe/1116705392. Accessed 7 Mar. 2017.

Stowe, Harriet Beecher. “Uncle Tom's Cabin.” Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/book/show/46787.Uncle_Tom_s_Cabin. Accessed 7 Mar. 2017.

“Uncle Tom's Cabin (Dover Thrift Editions) › Customer Reviews.” Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Uncle Tom's Cabin (Dover Thrift Editions), www.amazon.com/Uncle-Cabin-Dover-Thrift-Editions/product-reviews/0486440281. Accessed Mar. 2017.

Poetry: September, 1918

       In times of darkness, the little moments of happiness are truly treasured. In Amy Lowell's poem, "September, 1918," she describes the simple pleasures of living that occur during the Great War. Most notably, she writes about one afternoon where two little boys gathering berries under a tree at the park. She later states that after the war, "I shall take out this afternoon and turn in my finger, and remark the sweet taste of it upon my palate. . ." (713). Her decision to recollect this moment shows how powerful the simplicity of life can be. By expressing this idea, Lowell expresses how the simple pleasures one experience can bring the most happiness.

       The situation Lowell describes I can differently relate to. In my life and for my family, a dark period of time was when my cousin died at the age of 18. Everyone was devastated. But in a our period of grief, the whole family managed to come together for my father's birthday. It was unreal. For a night, everyone was happy, smiling, and celebrating life. At a time of death and its emotional turmoil, we managed to find happiness. And to this day that is a moment I look back and think about how good it felt to have. 

       The circumstances and situation Lowell writes about relate to power and privilege. Both power and privilege are illustrated by the narrator's ability to find certain moments to hold onto during the war. War, itself, represents the darkness she leaves. And she has the power and privilege to find a brief period of time that makes the darkness she lives in fade away. She would have a lack of power and privilege if she couldn't identify any simple joy of life during such an atrocious time.

       Overall, Lowell's poem reflects how simple moments can bring happiness in the most unpleasant of times. When war is associated with so much horror, death, and evilness, it can be hard to find moments of joy. However, she makes that point that the ordinarily simple pleasures of life can give you the privilege of happiness in dark times. And that power can be achieved by keeping your eyes open to all forms of happiness and peace, and having the knowledge you could find and hold onto that moment. 

Drama: A Street Car Named Desire

        All siblings are known for having their own quarrels. In Tenessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire, audiences are exposed to the tensions that exist between Blanche and her younger sister, Stella. Blanche's role as the eldest child in the family left her with many hardships and responsibilities, especially when Stella leaves home. Upon arriving at Stella, and her husband, Stanley's, apartment she says, ". . . You left! I stayed and struggled! [. . .] I stayed at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together . . . all the burdened descended on my shoulders" (1122). When she begins to feel judged by Stella, she elaborates, "How in the hell do you think all that sickness  and dying was was paid for? Death is expensive [. . .] I let the place go? Where were you! In bed with your- Polack" (1123). By illustrating Blanche's frustrations with Stella, Williams reveals their roles as oldest and youngest have shaped their relationship.

       As the oldest sibling in my family, I can't say I currently relate to this situation. However, I do believe it is a common circumstance between families. When parents get sick, the oldest child (or children depending on the size of the family) are usually obligated to help their parents. While the youngest child(ren) are left off the hook. This ideology is often seen in the entertainment industry- in television shows and movies particularly. For example, in the film Sister Cities, the eldest sisters were in charge of taking care of their impaired mother, and the youngest sisters were free to do as they wished. 

       The relationship between Blanche and Stella, in terms of oldest and youngest, relates to power and privilege. Power and privilege are illustrated by age. Blanche, as the oldest, lacks power and privilege because she has been held to higher standards and expectations for her family. Thus, her obligation to stay with her family and keep the home. On the other hand, Stella, as the youngest, holds both power and privilege because she wasn't raised knowing she needed to stay home with her family. She was free to leave and marry Stanley. Thus, she had the power and privilege to live her life freely unlike Blanche.

       When fully looking at the relationship between the Dubois Sisters, I believe it represents the power and privilege divided among siblings through age. While many parents try to treat their children equally, age prevents that from becoming a true reality. Older siblings, like Blanche, are actually weighed down by their age through the hardshps and responsiblities of family matters. And younger siblings, like Stella, are allowed their freedom through which they have acquired power and privilege. 

Literary Context: Southern Literature

       Throughout my research on Southern Literature, I found the most interesting information to be on its evolution throughout history. While Southern Literature, itself, is a generalized grouping of literary works, the distinction of the eras provides a more developed background on novels of this category. For my presentation, I was able to learn and identify each of the eras (early Southern Literature, Antebellum (The Plantation Era), Post-Antebellum (The Post War Era), Renaissance, and the Post-Modern Era), and along with that find novels are associated with each era. For example, during the Antebellum period Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin was published, while Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in the Post-Antebellum period. The value, in knowing which period the novels were published in, comes from gaining knowledge about the historical context during the time each novel was published. And having that information I found the most valuable throughout my research.
        The information I discovered on Southern Literature directly correlates with the Flannery O'Connor "Good Country People." For a novel to be considered to be Southern Literature, it must contain be written by a Southern author or set in the region, and needs to have characteristics such as religion, social hierarchy, racial issues, and among others. O'Connor's short story follows all of the criteria. It is by a Southern author, set in the South, and has themes of religion and social hierarchy. These qualities deepen the reading by adding to the characters perspective and that of the audience. For example, the view of religion and social hierarchy from character Joy/ Hulga shows readers her perspective as an educated Southern woman, in contrast to her mother a traditional Southern woman. Altogether the combination of characteristics that make the story a part of Southern Literature add to the readers of understanding.
       In O'Connor's "Good Country People," religion establishes the story as Southern Literature by commenting on hypocrisy of the Christians. Upon learning that the Bible Salesman isn't a devote Christian man, Joy/Hulga says, "You're a Christian!. . .You're a fine Christian! You are just like them all- you say one thing and do another. You're a perfect Christian. . ." (1353). While she, herself, "is an atheist" (1345), her traditional Southern upbringing from her mother prompts her to view Christians as true and honest people. Yet highly educated-self recognizes that Christians aren't all holier than thou as much as they try to be. The story, likely set in the 1950's, further reflects the changes in society and culture during the Post-Modern Era. (In which case Christians were both recognized for their goodness and their hypocrisy.) O'Connor's short story uses the qualities of Southern Literature to showcase the view of religion from the perspective of an atheist and highly education Southern woman.
     
Works Cited for Presentation and Blog Post

Baym, Nina, gen. ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 8th ed. Vol. 2.

New York: Norton, 2012. Print.

Rubin, Louis D. "Southern Literature and Southern Society." Short Story Criticism, edited by Margaret Haerens, vol. 23, Gale, 1996. Short Story Criticism Online, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=LCO&sw=w&u=cicctr&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CQLSBUF332420219&it=r. Accessed 21 Mar. 2017. Originally published in Southern Literary Study: Problems and Possibilities, edited by Louis D. Rubin, Jr. and C. Hugh Holman, University of North Carolina Press, 1975, pp. 3-20.

Gray, Richard. "Aftermath: Southern Literature Since World War II." Contemporary Literary Criticism, edited by Daniel G. Marowski and Roger Matuz, vol. 38, Gale, 1986. Contemporary Literary Criticism Online, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=LCO&sw=w&u=cicctr&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CFBAVNW653675999&it=r. Accessed 21 Mar. 2017. Originally published in The Literature of Memory: Modern Writers of the American South, by Richard Gray, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1977, pp. 257-305.

"Southern United States Literature." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Mar. 2017. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_United_States_literature>.

MacKethan Lucinda. "Genres of Southern Literature." Sevaa. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://southernspaces.org/2004/genres-southern-literature>.

YourDictionary. "What Are Some Interesting Facts About Mark Twain?" YourDictionary. N.p., 05 May 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <http://biography.yourdictionary.com/articles/facts-about-mark-twain.html>.

"Flannery O'Connor." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Mar. 2017. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flannery_O'Connor>.

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Literary Analysis

            Undoubtedly, slavery is one of the most immoral practices known to man. In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, slavery is one of the main themes. However, because slavery had many associations throughout the story, I decided to focus on the evil of slavery. While Stowe doesn’t direct state that slavery creates an outcome of evilness, she does provide many situations where it can be subtly acknowledged.

            Throughout the novel, many relationships between slaves and their owners are portrayed. Some of them better than others, as is the case between Eliza Harris and Mrs. Shelby, St. Clare and Tom, Miss Ophelia and Topsy, etc. On the other hand, there are even more cases where relationships are much worse, as is the case with Marie St. Clare and all the slaves on the property, Mr. Shelby and Tom, Legree and Tom, etc. Through the latter listed character relationships, the evil slavery creates can be seen through in stages.

            The evil of slavery is introduced early on in the novel through Mr. Shelby, Mr. Haley, Eliza, and Harry. Upon seeing young Harry, Mr. Haley, the slave trader, tells Mr. Shelby, “Fling in that chap and I’ll settle the business- I will” (4). This interact displays the evilness of slavery by so easily talking about buying and selling a child. In this scene, the boy isn’t even seen as a boy, but a thing- an object. On top of all this, there is no regard given towards his family- their feelings, thoughts, or reactions. None whatsoever. Altogether, Mr. Haley and Mr. Shelby’s discussion comes across as because it casually takes about removing a child from his home and family without any thought given towards Harry’s well-being.

            The evil of slavery continues to progress to more dramatic levels as the story goes on. It reaches news levels when Marie St. Clare is introduced. The first few words Marie says are “it’s we mistresses that are the slaves, down here” (153) and “[the slaves are] selfish-dreadfully selfish; it’s the fault of the whole race” (153). Her words come across as ignorant and blinded from reality. Marie, herself, is the exact opposite of a slave. She lives to be doted upon every minute of her life. For her to compare herself to a slave shows how slavery has evolved people (slave owners) morals and ethics so horribly. As the story continues, Stowe manages to present the evil of slavery in more shocking ways.

            Death can be seen as the most heinous connection to slavery. Towards the end novel, Tom is brought by Mr. Legree, a vicious slave owner, who has no hesitancy in violently disciplining his slaves. Tom, in particular, becomes the target of this anger when “. . . the spirit of evil came back, with seven-fold vehemence; and Legree, foaming with rage, smote his victim to the ground” (374). This moment leads to Tom’s inevitable death. However, the evil of slavery can be seen through the death of Tom and other slave because they’re good people. Tom didn’t deserve to die; he died protecting his friends and values. An innocent slave’s demise, like Tom’s, represents the utmost evil of slavery.

            Throughout Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Stowe uses the theme of slavery to illustrate how it creates evilness. When the relationships between the slave owners and the slaves themselves are looked at both at the surface and underneath, the evil that lingers from the practice of slavery can be found. With each interaction, from small to large, the evil of slavery can be seen increasingly. Overall, its significance rests in the fact that slavery manages to manipulate and sway people away from true morals and ethics. 

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Critical Commentary

            In James Baldwin’s article “Everybody’s Protest Novel,” one of his main points is how the oppressed and the oppressor come to live in the same reality. I believe Baldwin’s interpretation is accurately portrayed in the novel. Baldwin claims, “The oppressed and the oppressor are bound together within the same society; they accept the same criteria, they share the same beliefs, they both alike depend on the same reality” (537). This goes to illustrate the slaves and their owners both come recognize that slaves aren’t people but property. They recognize, accept, believe, and depend on the mutual understanding between on another to justify their actions and lifestyles, the slave in particular.   For example, Baldwin’s idea can be seen throughout “the heritage of the Negro in America: Wash me, cried the slave to his Maker, and I shall be whiter, whiter than snow” (537-538). Furthermore, it goes to show how the slaves have come to accept that they are inferior to whites. And as a result they desire to be more like them because “black is the color of evil; only the robes of the saved are white” (538).

            Baldwin’s interpretation of the text adds to the understanding of the novel by establishing another way in which slavery has been evil. The fact that slaves and slave owners both voluntarily come to live together in a world where they accept segregation brings to light another way in which objectification and dehumanization occurs. When both the oppressed and the oppressors see the world the same way that truly conveys how corrupt slavery is. Slavery, and the evilness it creates, becomes more apparent when black slaves are made inferior and white owners superior and neither party sees an issue. Again, this goes back to how the slaves have been dehumanized when their lives are considered to be lesser than those of others. 

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Reader Response

            From across a number of books review sites, such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goods Read, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin is viewed as average to excellent. Each of the websites’ ratings systems place the novel with 3 and ½ to 4 and ½ stars. The majority of reviewer, from all three of the websites reported having a favorably experience with the novel, and would recommend it to others. The reviewers who gave lower ratings did so due to unsatisfactory physical qualities of the novel, instead of their disapproval of the book itself. According to J Cravens, a Goodreads reviewer, who gave the novel 5 stars respectively, “The story, its delivery and its characters turned out to be nothing like they have been portrayed over the years. . . [But] a powerful call for justice and equality. . .” (Goodreads). Cravens’ rating and review represents the high reader trends because it displays the high expectations that readers inflict on the novel to view it as a masterpiece of literature. Utente, a 4 star rater and reviewer from Amazon, states, “[The novel is] definitely worthy of classic status. . . Mrs. Stowe deftly develops the character with complex view of slavery. . .” (Amazon). Her statement further goes on to say she took off a start due to technological reasons. The rating corresponds with the trend in which certain properties of the book provided a lower rating. A 5 star rater and reviewer yearningtoread, from Barnes and Noble, said, “. . . Please, I beg you to read this book. I laughed, I cried my eyes out, I went numb with fear and hatred, I was captivated” (Barnes and Noble). The review corresponds with the fact that those who rate higher and have a postive experience with the novel a likely to recommend it to other readers.

            Based on the comments I have read, I do agree with them. The story is a complex and bluntly honest telling of slavery and the urge for justice and equality at the time, like Cravens stated. The story is truly worthy of being a classic novel because of the complexities Stowe managed to weave into characters and their viewpoints, like Utente stated. And overall the book should be urged by others to read. It carries you through an emotional rollercoaster, keeping you strapped in and captivated the whole time, just like yearningtoread said. I agree with these comments because I’ve had them myself. They took the words right out of my mouth. 

Uncle Tom's Cabin: Textual Background and Context

            In the Backgrounds and Contexts section of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a number of advertisements illustrate the evil of slavery through objectification. I found “Advertisement for runaway slave, Kentucky, 1853” (416) to best portray this message. The advertisement offers a reward of one hundred dollars for the return of a “runaway . . . Blackwoman, named Emily. . .” (416). She is further described by her identifying characteristics and by several price. Altogether, this information listed shows Emily as degraded to merely nothing more than an object in the eyes of Tho’s H. Williams, the subscriber who had the advertisement published, and to those reading it. While the text does not directly reveal this sentiment, it can be found between the lines. The arrangement of the words lacks any emotion, allowing the statement to be perceived as purely business. Rather than voicing concern over a runaway, the poster identifies the runaway as a lost possession.

            I felt that the content of the advertisement and underlying meaning that is imposed through Emily’s description is horrible. In its entirety, the publishers and Mr. Williams dehumanize Emily to an object- to someone’s property. I can only imagine how similarly situated individuals, like Emily, felt to be only recognized by their attributes and the price on their head. The concept, I believe, is very foreign in today’s society. Like in the past rewards posters for missing/ runaway people are recognizable everywhere and anywhere yet today. However, the emotional connection between the seeker and the person of interest can be felt through the paper. In the case of Emily, her well-being isn’t important, her happiness isn’t important- only her role as belonging to Mr. Williams matters. And that in my opinion truly demonstrated one of the biggest ways in which slavery is found to be evil.

            The text displayed on “Advertisement for runaway slave, Kentucky, 1853” adds to our understanding of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by subtly revealing why the dehumanization of slaves occurs. Even more so, it contributes to defining the theme “the evil of slavery” through the objectification of slaves. In the novel, George Harris is found to be in the same position as Emily. His advertisement, similarly formatted, first states: “Ran away. . . mulatto boy, George” (95), then lists his own identifying markers. The last line of George’s ad says his owner “. . . will give four hundred dollars for him alive, and the same sum for satisfactory proof that he has been killed” (95). Just like in Emily’s own advertisement, in George’s we see the distant between himself and his owner. Overall, we see that slavery has affected the sight of slave owners and supporters alike by depriving them of basic human rights such as individuality, compassion, and civility amongst all people.