Uncle Tom's Cabin: Christianity and the Human Spirit
Lizzie Furlong
HUMA 3300 – Fall 2010
Professor Wickberg
Christianity and the Human Spirit
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.” (pg. 358)
In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the values of her Christian beliefs play a major role in a central theme of salvation through Christianity. As the story is centralized around Uncle Tom, who epitomizes and embodies Christ’s image, it is meant to display what slavery can do to the purist of human spirits. This quotation from Tom summarizes the strength of the human spirit through Christianity, finding the preverbal “good” in unlikely places, and ultimate battle of good versus evil that is ignited by the institution of slavery in the antebellum south.
As Tom looks up to Legree and tells him he would give everything in him if it was needed, Stowe illustrates the ability the human spirit has to overcome suffering. With Tom being the example, Stowe uses the Christian faith as fuel to his ability to be Christ-like throughout the novel. As Tom chooses to stay and not flee with Eliza, he feels it was the right thing to do. When he is sold from the Shelby’s to Haley, then to the St. Claires, then finally ending with Legree, Tom consistently obeyed his master despite their good or bad nature. Stowe describes him has “childlike” at times, representing the goodness of God. In this quote, Tom maintains a level of affection that a child would have towards a parent. The child still seeks approval and giving endless love regardless of how their parent treats them.
“Mas’r,
HUMA 3300 – Fall 2010
Professor Wickberg
Christianity and the Human Spirit
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.” (pg. 358)
In Harriet Beecher Stowe’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the values of her Christian beliefs play a major role in a central theme of salvation through Christianity. As the story is centralized around Uncle Tom, who epitomizes and embodies Christ’s image, it is meant to display what slavery can do to the purist of human spirits. This quotation from Tom summarizes the strength of the human spirit through Christianity, finding the preverbal “good” in unlikely places, and ultimate battle of good versus evil that is ignited by the institution of slavery in the antebellum south.
As Tom looks up to Legree and tells him he would give everything in him if it was needed, Stowe illustrates the ability the human spirit has to overcome suffering. With Tom being the example, Stowe uses the Christian faith as fuel to his ability to be Christ-like throughout the novel. As Tom chooses to stay and not flee with Eliza, he feels it was the right thing to do. When he is sold from the Shelby’s to Haley, then to the St. Claires, then finally ending with Legree, Tom consistently obeyed his master despite their good or bad nature. Stowe describes him has “childlike” at times, representing the goodness of God. In this quote, Tom maintains a level of affection that a child would have towards a parent. The child still seeks approval and giving endless love regardless of how their parent treats them.
“Mas’r,