In the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe will often regard her audience directly calling upon them for understanding or sympathy within particular situations. Mrs. Bird as part of helping Eliza goes to her dead son’s room to get clothes to give to Eliza’s, “And oh! Mother that reads this, has there never been in your house a drawer, or closet, the opening again of a little grave? Ah! happy mother that you are, if it has not been so?” (Stowe 125). Stowe clearly calls out to “Mother that reads this,” focusing in on a possible reader of the novel to understand the emotion and background of the characters in relation to the audience. Stowe targets female, specifically mothers, reading the novel to form a bond with the reader and Mrs. Bird. The reader’s affiliation to motherhood also gains respect for the kindness Mrs. Bird bestows upon Eliza and her child despite the painful memories that resurface for Mrs. Bird.
Great observation Laura! I agree with what you said about how Stowe was reaching out to the "mothers" and "females" because the reality was that those were probably her only friends at the time. The only people she could truly connect with and so writing a novel that could call out to them would be very beneficial on her part.
Love your posts, Laura and Marina!! She really tries to connect with her motherly audience by using motherly emotions in her writing. Stowe wants mothers to connect to the characters in the novel by giving them qualities a mother would want in a child, such as kindness toward others.
In addition to my post above, she is trying to make friends as you said, Marina. She gave the women in the novel qualities that her friends have and would want to have, like loving and caring.
(Marina Ch.14-17) When Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin she intended for all her friends, her neighbors, and all those who were literate at the time to read it. She wrote this book with her truest beliefs behind it and she quite honestly did not care what anyone thought about it but rather she only intended for them to read it and know that there were people with opposing beliefs living at the time. Stowe was very “proud” (87) of how honest her book resulted and she stood behind it one hundred percent.
Exactly!! Stowe considers other views of her readers not just her own opinions. I love how she is understanding of the views of her audience especially in this pre-Civil War period with high tensions between people with opposing views. Most authors in 2016 do not consider that the audience could have differing views to the author. Great catch, Marina!!
(Lauren Ch. 18-20) In chapters 18-20, Stowe gears her writing toward her Christian audience. Through Tom acting like a priest/pastor, he hits the easily swayed by kindness and religious acts audience with full force. For example, when he tells St. Clare that, “‘Mas’r isn’t good to himself’” (292), he is expressing to St. Clare, like a priest would to a troubled Christian, that an individual needs to take care of himself before taking care of others. Tom’s religious and good hearted nature appeals to an audience.
I agree! It is apparent at this point that throughout her novel, Stowe made scenes and instances that would appeal to every member of society; the women, men, slaves, and even religious leaders. This "covering of all the bases" per say creates an even larger audience than anyone could have thought of. This is probably just another reason as to why her book sold so many copies.
I think the point Marina brought up is really important because even though we talked earlier about how Stowe was writing this book for herself, she was also writing it for an audience. She has a really powerful message about slavery, and in such a crucial moment in black history, she wanted to reach as many people as possible in order to change viewpoints and stereotypes. Black people did not have a real voice at the time the novel was written, and so the mere success of this novel is a testament to how powerful Stowe's words are.
(Laura Ch. 21-31) The heartbreaking moments of Eva’s death are a plea to the empathic and religious reader. If it is not obvious by now, Stowe is incredibly religious which is a passion that fuels her belief that slavery is an evil that must be purged in order to live piously (Amen!). As Eva grows sicker and her time comes near to be united with God for eternity she calls upon her father, St. Clare, make arrangements to free the family’s slaves following his own death. Eva pleading to her father is synonymous with Stowe’s voices indirectly pleading with the reader to work toward ending slavery. It comes forth in an innocent and Christ like voice, of Eva saying, “I wish they were all free.” (Stowe 393). This is used to explain God’s wish for his people, the Christian readers, to works towards the abolition of slavery.
(Daria Ch.31-End) The Audience towards the end of the book is the still the same as the beginning. However, now they are in more of a shocked state. Most believe that Mr. Shelby is the way slavery is or they simply do not care. Once Tom enters Legree’s ownership he shows the truth behind slavery. Slaves are human too. Tom has the heart of a catholic missionary, with all the hate and beats from Legree he still stays strong and kind. At one point Legree ”struck Tom across the face with his whip. Tom silently resumed his task” (503). Most would retaliate, however Tom does not; thus showing he too is human.
(Laura Ch. 1-13)
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe will often regard her audience directly calling upon them for understanding or sympathy within particular situations. Mrs. Bird as part of helping Eliza goes to her dead son’s room to get clothes to give to Eliza’s, “And oh! Mother that reads this, has there never been in your house a drawer, or closet, the opening again of a little grave? Ah! happy mother that you are, if it has not been so?” (Stowe 125). Stowe clearly calls out to “Mother that reads this,” focusing in on a possible reader of the novel to understand the emotion and background of the characters in relation to the audience. Stowe targets female, specifically mothers, reading the novel to form a bond with the reader and Mrs. Bird. The reader’s affiliation to motherhood also gains respect for the kindness Mrs. Bird bestows upon Eliza and her child despite the painful memories that resurface for Mrs. Bird.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGreat observation Laura! I agree with what you said about how Stowe was reaching out to the "mothers" and "females" because the reality was that those were probably her only friends at the time. The only people she could truly connect with and so writing a novel that could call out to them would be very beneficial on her part.
DeleteLove your posts, Laura and Marina!! She really tries to connect with her motherly audience by using motherly emotions in her writing. Stowe wants mothers to connect to the characters in the novel by giving them qualities a mother would want in a child, such as kindness toward others.
DeleteIn addition to my post above, she is trying to make friends as you said, Marina. She gave the women in the novel qualities that her friends have and would want to have, like loving and caring.
Delete(Marina Ch.14-17)
ReplyDeleteWhen Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin she intended for all her friends, her neighbors, and all those who were literate at the time to read it. She wrote this book with her truest beliefs behind it and she quite honestly did not care what anyone thought about it but rather she only intended for them to read it and know that there were people with opposing beliefs living at the time. Stowe was very “proud” (87) of how honest her book resulted and she stood behind it one hundred percent.
Exactly!! Stowe considers other views of her readers not just her own opinions. I love how she is understanding of the views of her audience especially in this pre-Civil War period with high tensions between people with opposing views. Most authors in 2016 do not consider that the audience could have differing views to the author. Great catch, Marina!!
Delete(Lauren Ch. 18-20)
ReplyDeleteIn chapters 18-20, Stowe gears her writing toward her Christian audience. Through Tom acting like a priest/pastor, he hits the easily swayed by kindness and religious acts audience with full force. For example, when he tells St. Clare that, “‘Mas’r isn’t good to himself’” (292), he is expressing to St. Clare, like a priest would to a troubled Christian, that an individual needs to take care of himself before taking care of others. Tom’s religious and good hearted nature appeals to an audience.
I agree! It is apparent at this point that throughout her novel, Stowe made scenes and instances that would appeal to every member of society; the women, men, slaves, and even religious leaders. This "covering of all the bases" per say creates an even larger audience than anyone could have thought of. This is probably just another reason as to why her book sold so many copies.
DeleteI think the point Marina brought up is really important because even though we talked earlier about how Stowe was writing this book for herself, she was also writing it for an audience. She has a really powerful message about slavery, and in such a crucial moment in black history, she wanted to reach as many people as possible in order to change viewpoints and stereotypes. Black people did not have a real voice at the time the novel was written, and so the mere success of this novel is a testament to how powerful Stowe's words are.
Delete(Laura Ch. 21-31)
ReplyDeleteThe heartbreaking moments of Eva’s death are a plea to the empathic and religious reader. If it is not obvious by now, Stowe is incredibly religious which is a passion that fuels her belief that slavery is an evil that must be purged in order to live piously (Amen!). As Eva grows sicker and her time comes near to be united with God for eternity she calls upon her father, St. Clare, make arrangements to free the family’s slaves following his own death. Eva pleading to her father is synonymous with Stowe’s voices indirectly pleading with the reader to work toward ending slavery. It comes forth in an innocent and Christ like voice, of Eva saying, “I wish they were all free.” (Stowe 393). This is used to explain God’s wish for his people, the Christian readers, to works towards the abolition of slavery.
(Daria Ch.31-End)
ReplyDeleteThe Audience towards the end of the book is the still the same as the beginning. However, now they are in more of a shocked state. Most believe that Mr. Shelby is the way slavery is or they simply do not care. Once Tom enters Legree’s ownership he shows the truth behind slavery. Slaves are human too. Tom has the heart of a catholic missionary, with all the hate and beats from Legree he still stays strong and kind. At one point Legree ”struck Tom across the face with his whip. Tom silently resumed his task” (503). Most would retaliate, however Tom does not; thus showing he too is human.