12B. Uncle Tom's Cabin (1851) by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Chs. 40-41

"Death of Uncle Tom" (ca. 1853) by Thomas W. Strong

Narrative Voice

1. The narrator said in response to Legree saying that Tom’s mouth would be shut forever, “Yes, Legree; but who shall shut up that voice in thy soul? that soul, past repentance, past prayer, past hope, in whom the fire that never shall be quenched is already burning!” (chapter 40). I liked that the narrator took a sharp stance against Legree and it was a powerful statement against the horrible nature of many white slaveowners.

2. Stowe’s writing seems to hold Christian values much more centrally than any other texts we’ve read. Douglass especially was quite averse to highlighting the good in Christianity in his writing, as he thought that current Christians were extremely hypocritical in the way they treated black people. Even Jacobs's writing seemed to have fewer Christian references. Throughout the text, Tom is constantly expressing his forgiveness for those around him, or trying to convince Legree to repent. “Tom looked up to his master, and answered, ‘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. O, Mas’r! don’t bring this great sin on your soul! It will hurt you more than ’t will me! Do the worst you can, my troubles’ll be over soon; but,if ye don’t repent, yours won’t never end!’” (Ch. 40). Stowe seems very adamant in driving home the idea that Tom is a faithful Christian. Tom is more forgiving than any other character we have seen in any of the texts thus far, and this characteristic is only accentuated by George’s inability to restrain his emotions concerning Legree

Redeemable Legree?

3. In chapter 41 of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Tom is punished by Legree for withholding information about the escaped slaves. Legree never liked Tom much, and he was so angry with him for not telling him where the slaves were that he decided to whip him into a stupor. Tom had been hurt so badly that he could not even feel it, “not suffering, for every nerve of suffering was blunted and destroyed” (279). Being harmed to that extent was deadly, Tom sat for two days before he died. After George turned away from his body, “Legree was standing, sullenly, behind him” (282). The use of the word sullenly indicated to me that Legree had realized just what he had done, and how terrible it truly was. He did not just do it out of anger towards Tom keeping secrets of the escaped slaves, but he did it out of pure hatred for Tom. Only after he was dead doing Legree feel bad and guilty. What also indicated to me that Legree felt some semblance of emotion was when George asked to buy Tom’s dead body for a proper burial place. “I don't sell dead ni**ers," said Legree, doggedly. "You are welcome to bury him where and when you like." Instead of being spiteful and making George pay for the body, Legree simply let him go. 

Sambo and Quimbo

4. One thing that surprised me about Uncle Tom’s Cabin was the willingness of the two other two slave men to beat Tom. I empathize with the fear they must have felt knowing the anger of Master Legree and the consequence that would come with rejecting him, however naïve as I am to their experience, it is still a hard scene to grasp.

Tom: Christian Faith or Slave Mentality?

5. Lastly, the moment between Tom and George in the shed was incredibly thought-provoking. When George wishes for retribution on Legree saying, “it’s comfort to think the devil will pay him for this, some of these days,” Tom’s response shows his strength of character. Regardless of all the horrible things he’s experienced [his] faith remains at the forefront of who he is.

6. I was left with one gruesome thought when reading the death of Tom; most notably, Tom has a concerning lack of hatred or contempt for his master Legree, even when he’s an inch away from death. When being beaten senselessly, rather than yelling out to Legree for removing him his humanity and livelihood, he instead immediately offers forgiveness, exclaiming “there ain’t no more ye can do! I forgive ye, with all my soul” before fainting away (Chapter 40). This attitude is incredibly revealing what slaves were led to think of their own humanity, believing their lives are disposable and they aren’t worthy of casting guilt onto others. Making things worse, when Tom passes away from his injuries, he shockingly thanks Legree, asserting he’s done him for a service for bringing him to God, yelling “I’m right in the door, going into glory” (Chapter 41). Even at death, individuals such as Tom were treated in such a way that death was a blessing, acting as a final escape from the hell that was their life. While the last chapter focused on the martyrdom and forgiveness of Jesus, this chapter sees Tom calling for people to follow him to the lord, with Tom telling George “And oh, the poor chil’en, and the baby; -- my old heart’s been most broke for ‘em, time and agin! Tell ‘em all to follow me– follow me!” Tom even wishes that Legree will repent and find his way to Heaven. This fits Tom’s characterization because is meant to embody the love of Christ. “I loves every creature everywhere! – it’s nothing but love! O, Mas’r George! What a thing ‘tis to be a Christian.” This chapter serves to further demonize Legree, with George calling him Satan and the narrator referring to him as “the dragon,” a term found in the book of Revelation thought to be describing Lucifer.