Uncle Tom’s Cabin Synopsis

The setting is Arthur Shelby's Kentucky plantation during the antebellum period. Although Shelby is not characterized as a harsh or unforgiving master, he has nevertheless suffered serious debts- forcing him sell some slaves to avoid financial ruin. Mr. Haley, the slave trader, purchases Uncle Tom, Shelby's loyal servant since childhood, and five-year-old Harry, a handsome and talented child who sings and dances. Shelby regrets betraying Uncle Tom's faithfulness, as much as he regrets taking the child away from his mother, Eliza. Eliza overhears Mrs. Shelby protesting her husband's decision, and decides to flee the plantation with her son. George, her husband from a neighboring plantation, has already left for Canada via the “underground railroad.” Eliza plans to do the same, and tries to convince Uncle Tom to save himself and come with her. Uncle Tom, however, sees his duty to remain loyal to his master, despite his betrayal, and does not accompany Eliza and Harry on their journey to the Ohio River.
Haley searches for Eliza hopelessly, as she is drove on by fear of losing her child and reaches the river swiftly. Remarkably, Eliza crosses the river by jumping from one ice flow to the next. After reaching the shore in Ohio, Mr. Symmes, a man who has witnessed her brave act, listens to her story. Luckily, Symmes hates slave traders and accordingly takes Eliza and Harry to the house of Senator Bird, where they receive food and lodging. Ironically, Bird has just voted for a bill barring aid to runaway slaves, but the Senator is rather inspired by Eliza's story. He therefore changes his opinions and takes the fugitives to a Quaker settlement, where they stay with the Halliday family. As luck would have it, Eliza's husband has sought refuge in this same community, and the young family is reunited. The Quakers assist the family in boarding a ship for Canada before Haley's hired slave hunters, Loker and Marks, can apprehend them.
After the hunt for Eliza