Uncle Tom's Cabin

BOOK: Uncle Tom's Cabin

AUTHOR: Harriet Beecher Stowe

COPYWRITE: 1852

Uncle Tom's Cabin is a historical book that I feel is one of the most mind enduring books of all time. This book put me in the place of every northern citizen in the 1800s. I felt as if I was in the story. My knowledge of how slaves were treated was enhanced greatly. To finally have read this book, I now know why this book was one of the main causes to the Civil War. To read the details about the pain and suffering that Tom and all of the other slaves faced really sickened my stomach and opened my eyes. I am glad to say that I have read the greatest book ever published about slavery, and if you ask me about any topic.

The information that I was able to gain from this book was and will be very useful to me for the rest of my life. In no way do I think of myself as a racist individual but never again will I allow myself to look at another person differently for their skin color, their disabilities, or look. This book really was a great learning experience; it has changed a small part of my mind that I will never lose.

Uncle Tom's Cabin starts off with one setting and one story line and then breaks into two separate plots. In the beginning the story takes place on the Shelby plantation in Kentucky. The first chapter of the book is showing you the difference the author sees in Northern and Southern men. You can tell that the book is going to support the Northerners outlook on slavery. Mr. Shelby is in debt and he is trying to negotiate a deal with Mr. Haley to sell slaves to him. Mr. Haley notices a young boy Harry, who comes onto the porch to sing and dance, and wants to take him. Right after this Harry's mother comes in and Mr. Haley wants her also because she is so beautiful. Mr. Shelby tries to explain he can't get rid of either of them.

As the book progresses you learn more about the story of Eliza. You learn that she is married to another slave from a different plantation, and is very much in love. Only to find out that her husband is going to be stopped from seeing her. George, her husband, decides that if he is going to be stopped from seeing her, he is going to try and escape to the north.

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