(Lauren ch. 1-13) To support Harriet Beecher Stowe’s claim of slavery being against Christian ideals, she refers to her audience’s perspective.
Example:“If any of our refined and Christian readers object to the society into which this scene introduces them, let us beg them to begin and conquer their prejudices in time. The catching business, we beg to remind them, is rising to the dignity of a lawful and patriotic profession. If all the broad land between Mississippi and the Pacific becomes one great market for bodies and souls, and the human property retains the locomotive tendencies of this nineteenth century, the trader and the catcher may yet be among our aristocracy” (101)
Within this quote Stowe explains that although trading and selling slaves (or people in general) is wrong, the traders control the economy and the government at that moment. She emphasizes this point because she understands that the Christian religion does not believe and disagrees with owning slaves, and reassures the readers that she acknowledges the flaws of the traders/sellers.
( Daria) I love your analysis! As slavery is bad and inhumane. It was a major source of income for the south #regularush, Stowes whole point of this novel is to view the reality upon slavery and also the views upon it. Good job! if people thought it was so bad and agaisnt their christian right, then why continue it? is it just because it helps the economy?
I agree with Daria. Slavery was an inhumane institution in the south. The south supported slavery since there economy was heavily dependent on plantations and slaves rather than the north, which was industrial #apush. Since Stowe was from the north and an abolitionist, she points out the cruelty slaves were subjected to in support for the fight for abolition.
(Kathryn Ch.14-17) Mr. Wilson, as he is contemplating on wether or not to report George Harris states, “very bad; but the apostle says, ‘Let everyone abide in the condition in which he is called. ‘We must all submit to the indications of Providence’ (132), trying desperately to convince both George and his confused conscious.
@Kathryn, I think the main goal within that chapter was Mr. Wilson's understanding after George explains to him that his master has no right to do the injustices against him. The Christian Faith preaches that you must be subject to God, which George promises both to Eliza and Mr. Wilson that he will try to do, but he rejects the idea of remaining subject to a cruel man.
(Laura Ch.18-20) As a slaveholder St. Clare knows well all the abuse negroes on other plantations face. His cousin, Ms. Ophelia, accuses him of approving of slavery due to his silence and lack of actions to prevent the death of a negroe woman of another plantation. To his cousin’s passionate remarks about the situation St.Clare responds, “It’s commonly supposed that property interest is a sufficient guard in theses cases. If people choose to ruin their own possessions, I don’t know what’s to be done.” (Stowe 312). St. Clare does not become upset, at first, as his cousin does because he has formed a callus to the world of slavery because he himself is submerged in the world of trading for has already seen the injustices. However St. Clare does show his sympathy for the situation of all negroes and his frustration at being powerless to change anything, “Of course, in a community so organized, what can a man do, but shut his eyes all he can, and harden his heart?” (Stowe 313). St. Clare attempts to be a good and moral man treating his slaves with kindness however he has no power to save the slaves of other men. It is not St. Clare’s intention to allow such wrongdoings to go unpunished but in the society they live in where negroes are seen as property he has no choice but to be numb and try and remain as kind as he can in such a business.
(Marina 32-End) The evidence shows that society was wrong; the lives of all people (including blacks) are equally as important and can have just as much impact. Tom, an “honest”, sweet man, brought people like George Shelby and Cassy to “tears” (352) with his death. He was their “Saviour”(352), or in other words, he represented their faith in humanity and in kindness. This one man changed the lives of many, not only when he was alive, but also after he died. This instance only proves that every human life is to be valued, for nothing concerning race, age, or gender should change the love that every human has for one another.
Evidence Ch. 21-31: (Laura) Stowe uses the death of Eva to convince the reader, through biblical morals, of the consequences that lie for one who does not live life by the words of God. As she nears death Eva cautions both family and servants to be careful of their actions, “you are thinking only of this world,” (Stowe 410) and must heed the words of God. Those that make mistakes in the novel, both slave and free, are not religious. Stowe’s constant moral in the novel is to be christian and you will therefore find the key to happiness and a good life. Eva begs them to live good lives so she may, “see you all in heaven” (Stowe 411). This brings a wave of emotion over everyone that hears her words, they all cry at the sight of the child (as does the reader due to the fact that their favorite character is on the verge of death) they promise to be good.
(Lauren ch. 1-13)
ReplyDeleteTo support Harriet Beecher Stowe’s claim of slavery being against Christian ideals, she refers to her audience’s perspective.
Example:“If any of our refined and Christian readers object to the society into which this scene introduces them, let us beg them to begin and conquer their prejudices in time. The catching business, we beg to remind them, is rising to the dignity of a lawful and patriotic profession. If all the broad land between Mississippi and the Pacific becomes one great market for bodies and souls, and the human property retains the locomotive tendencies of this nineteenth century, the trader and the catcher may yet be among our aristocracy” (101)
Within this quote Stowe explains that although trading and selling slaves (or people in general) is wrong, the traders control the economy and the government at that moment. She emphasizes this point because she understands that the Christian religion does not believe and disagrees with owning slaves, and reassures the readers that she acknowledges the flaws of the traders/sellers.
( Daria) I love your analysis! As slavery is bad and inhumane. It was a major source of income for the south #regularush, Stowes whole point of this novel is to view the reality upon slavery and also the views upon it. Good job! if people thought it was so bad and agaisnt their christian right, then why continue it? is it just because it helps the economy?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daria. Slavery was an inhumane institution in the south. The south supported slavery since there economy was heavily dependent on plantations and slaves rather than the north, which was industrial #apush. Since Stowe was from the north and an abolitionist, she points out the cruelty slaves were subjected to in support for the fight for abolition.
ReplyDelete(Kathryn Ch.14-17)
ReplyDeleteMr. Wilson, as he is contemplating on wether or not to report George Harris states, “very bad; but the apostle says, ‘Let everyone abide in the condition in which he is called. ‘We must all submit to the indications of Providence’ (132), trying desperately to convince both George and his confused conscious.
@Kathryn, I think the main goal within that chapter was Mr. Wilson's understanding after George explains to him that his master has no right to do the injustices against him. The Christian Faith preaches that you must be subject to God, which George promises both to Eliza and Mr. Wilson that he will try to do, but he rejects the idea of remaining subject to a cruel man.
Delete(Laura Ch.18-20)
ReplyDeleteAs a slaveholder St. Clare knows well all the abuse negroes on other plantations face. His cousin, Ms. Ophelia, accuses him of approving of slavery due to his silence and lack of actions to prevent the death of a negroe woman of another plantation. To his cousin’s passionate remarks about the situation St.Clare responds, “It’s commonly supposed that property interest is a sufficient guard in theses cases. If people choose to ruin their own possessions, I don’t know what’s to be done.” (Stowe 312). St. Clare does not become upset, at first, as his cousin does because he has formed a callus to the world of slavery because he himself is submerged in the world of trading for has already seen the injustices.
However St. Clare does show his sympathy for the situation of all negroes and his frustration at being powerless to change anything, “Of course, in a community so organized, what can a man do, but shut his eyes all he can, and harden his heart?” (Stowe 313). St. Clare attempts to be a good and moral man treating his slaves with kindness however he has no power to save the slaves of other men. It is not St. Clare’s intention to allow such wrongdoings to go unpunished but in the society they live in where negroes are seen as property he has no choice but to be numb and try and remain as kind as he can in such a business.
(Marina 32-End)
ReplyDeleteThe evidence shows that society was wrong; the lives of all people (including blacks) are equally as important and can have just as much impact. Tom, an “honest”, sweet man, brought people like George Shelby and Cassy to “tears” (352) with his death. He was their “Saviour”(352), or in other words, he represented their faith in humanity and in kindness. This one man changed the lives of many, not only when he was alive, but also after he died. This instance only proves that every human life is to be valued, for nothing concerning race, age, or gender should change the love that every human has for one another.
Evidence Ch. 21-31: (Laura)
ReplyDeleteStowe uses the death of Eva to convince the reader, through biblical morals, of the consequences that lie for one who does not live life by the words of God. As she nears death Eva cautions both family and servants to be careful of their actions, “you are thinking only of this world,” (Stowe 410) and must heed the words of God. Those that make mistakes in the novel, both slave and free, are not religious. Stowe’s constant moral in the novel is to be christian and you will therefore find the key to happiness and a good life. Eva begs them to live good lives so she may, “see you all in heaven” (Stowe 411). This brings a wave of emotion over everyone that hears her words, they all cry at the sight of the child (as does the reader due to the fact that their favorite character is on the verge of death) they promise to be good.