The Theme Of Faith In Uncle Tom's Cabin

In our country 's weakest decade, one woman moved an immensely corrupt society. Abraham Lincoln referred to her as, “the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war” (Stowe). Harriet Beecher Stowe first published Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852. She inspired her audience by unmasking the calamity of slavery. This novel quickly became the second best seller, right behind the Bible. Written in the perspective of a slave the story created a new meaning for abolitionists. With unique style and enduring themes the high standard for anti-slavery literature emerged.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin contains two compelling plots. Both beginning with Arthur Shelby, a gracious and humane man, encountering extensive debt. To avoid losing all he owns his

Two themes hold the greatest significantes; faith will always prevail and people learn to hate. All of the stories told in the plot consist of faith. In some it appears over time, like George. In others it provides strength throughout the entire journey, like Eliza and Tom. Regardless, the ability to hope remains crucial in the development of almost every character. Master George’s spoke of Tom’s powerful faith to his slaves. “Think of your freedom, every time you see Uncle Tom’s Cabin…and be as honest and faithful and Christian as he...” (509). Tom’s devotion to God inspired George to become an exceptional man. When faced with indescribable abuse Tom never questions his faith. “...I’ve lost everything is this world, and it’s clean gone, forever, --and now I can’t lose Heaven” (420). Faith surfaces so frequently in the novel because without it the characters would give up and accept the terrible circumstances. The other theme, people learn to hate, comes from the younger characters in the novel. Little Eva’s character loves all and blinds herself to judgement. Eva believes that the St. Clare’s way of treating slaves “is the pleasant way” (218). Mr. St. Clare asks her why. She replies by saying, "Why, it makes so many more round you to love, you know." (218). Though her parents own slaves Eva learned from her father to treat everyone kindly. When speaking with Topsy, an abused young slave, Eva explains to her that Jesus loves everyone, “He is just as willing to love you, as me. He loves you just as I do, – only more, because he is better” (331). Similar to Eva, Master George loves all. I his childhood Uncle Tom became apart of his family. Young George develops throughout the story and becomes a man. He claims to God that he “will do what one man can to drive out [the] curse of slavery from [his] land” (489)! George becomes a strong abolitionist stating that, “...nobody, through me, should ever run the