Heroism Amidst Slavery: A Study of Eliza Harris

In the mid- 19th century Africans who were transported to America were mistreated severely through the practice of slavery. Exercising slavery commandeered the basic human rights of the Africans such as individual liberty, economic opportunity, and democratic participation. When these fundamental rights are taken away, true courage and heroism can be discovered in the people who fight for their freedoms as well as the liberties of others. In order for one person to stand up to a whole race, there is a necessity for true bravery and fearlessness. In the middle of the nineteenth century, the most audacious action was to run away because the punishment for doing so was a severe flogging and in extreme circumstances death. Slave owners whipped not only male slaves who attempted to escape, but they were not ashamed to whip female runners as well. The most courageous character in this novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, was Eliza Harris. She remained resilient through many tests and proved fearless when forced to run away.

The two share a child, Harry, who was just a young boy at the time. George was sold to a neighboring plantation in previous years and has not been with Eliza and Harry. Eliza demonstrates true courage in this time because she has to care for a young child, by herself, while also working in the household of their masters, Mr. and Mrs. Shelby. Eliza was a household slave who does chores around the house such as: serving, cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Undertaking this task while separated from her husband would be a difficult thing to