Uncle Tom's Cabin Literary Analysis

The two authors being discussed provide different techniques when addressing the issue of race and slave rebellion. Both authors use language that by today’s standards would be described as racist. However, in their time, their phrasing and word choice is advanced compared to their peers. The two novels will compared based on the treatment of insurrection in the novels by Poe and Stowe. “The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket” was written by Poe, and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by the author Stowe. From the novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” the character George will be discuss. The way in which each author addresses the struggles against racialism and slave rebellion will be addressed. Each authors displays different way to explain their positions.

He loves his family’s slave, who is named Uncle Tom. George not only possesses a kind heart, but acts on his principles. This is present when George promises to rescue Tom from the cruelty, which occurs when his father sells him. When Tom is sold to a farm in Kentucky, George gives Tom the dollar that he’s been keeping. Over the years, George grows into a young man concerned with emancipation for slaves. When his father dies, George goes to redeem Tom, but he is not well in health. George’s desire to free and educate his slaves is extremely advanced for the especially time, and shows George’s character in a very positive

One case of irony is in chapter 23, when Pym sees writing on the wall. Peters suggests that the writings are hieroglyphics. Pym immediately shuts Peter’s opinion down. However, we find out in the author’s note, at the end of the novel, that Peters was in fact correct. Another way that Poe uses irony is after the when Pym and Peters are hiding. Pym says that they are the only two white men on the whole island. However, in past chapters Pym tells the readers that Peters is half Native American. Since Peters is the Pym’s last companion, Pym refers to Peters in a higher standard than he did in past chapters. This shows Pym’s unconscious thoughts about race. He was very quick to use suggestive language. Another case of irony, is where they sit down to eat with the natives and turn down the food simply due to the look of it. However, in past chapters they were starving and resulted in eating their friend Parker. On the issue of cannibalism, and how it relates to irony is due to the fact the Parker is the one that suggested the idea. Although he suggested the idea, one would think that he would be safe and someone else would be eaten, but he is the one that gets eaten. One last bit of irony used in this novel is the fact that the two leaders have made an agreement regarding the sea cumbers. However, as they were about to leave they were ambushed and killed. The only two survives are Pym and