Uncle Tom's Cabin

The ideas and theories that we have come to know in children's literature are lay to rest when reading the tragic tales in Uncle Tom's Cabin. This book to me completely abandons the ideas and theories that were established for children literature. Stowe choose to open the eyes of the world to the truths and dealing behind slavery and in the process made the general public during the time of its release rethink their views and morals regarding slavery in the United States.

The theory that children represent signs of being symbolic of hope and potential are dashed in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The only hope the children embodied were that they had a kind slave master or were not separated from their families. While their potential was limited to nothing more than being sold to the highest bidder and being worked until they grew old. As evident when Haley is discussing business with a man who wants to purchase a young boy "I could raise that ar chap myself, or get him raised; he's uncommon likely and healthy, and he'd fetch a hundred dollars, six months hence; and in a year or two, he'd bring two hundred." (Stowe pgs. 325-326) While there was potential for children in Uncle Toms Cabin it was for all the wrong reasons. Another theory that I felt was broken by Stowe regarding children's literature was that of authors hiding the social issues of the time period, as we have seen in are other reading the authors have shied away from this. But Stowe brings it full circle as we see when Mr.Bird addresses a law in Kentucky "There has been a law passes forbidding people to help off the slaves that come from Kentucky." (Stowe pg. 274) Another theory that I felt was broke was that of morality being the focus of children's literature, "high level of individual morality was indispensable if the promise of the nation’s future was to be fulfilled.” (Macleod) Well there was no morality displayed in Uncle Tom's Cabin with some of the most vicious and reprehensible acts committed by slave owners and peoples who accepted slavery. There was no morality upright in this text which gave great doubt on the nation's future ever being fulfilled.

Overall even though I felt that this text was eye-opening and one of the most saddest stories I have ever read, it might be one of the most important and influential novels ever published in history. While the whole message of slavery is not viewed as "good" Stowe was able to open the eyes of people and lend a helping hand in changing the view of ending slavery for the greater "good."