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An Analysis Of Uncle Tom's Cabin, By Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Booker T. Washington says, “You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.” Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, demonstrates this idea by showing the tragic condition of slaves and the slave system in the South; she portrays that the owner cannot free himself from his own sins until he frees his slaves. In Stowe’s fictional, yet accurate depiction of slavery, she also showcases the effects and power of women in the system; characters such as Cassy, Eliza, and Mrs. Shelby choose their own path by protecting themselves, others, or, in the instance of Cassy, their character.
Both Mrs. Shelby and Eliza act as Stowe’s vehicle for demonstrating the value of one person showing kindness to another. After Mr. Shelby sells …show more content…

St. Clare did, Cassy strives to guard the remnants of her character and morality. In her escape from Legree’s farm, Cassy remains in “despairing firmness,” but afterwards gains a “gentle trust” (342, 364). Her transformation shows the importance of the decision -- especially for the preservation of her “goodness.” This includes her ability to show kindness and her hope of possible freedom, both of which the slave system has almost ripped from her completely. As a result of her choice, Emmeline escapes bondage along with Cassy and slavery no longer keeps her from freedom. In addition, Cassy’s choice and its result demonstrate that risking oneself for good may lead to a more favorable situation for that person. Soon after their escape, Cassy demonstrates this idea once again when she interrupts Master George’s and Madame de Thoux’s conversation to inquire about the original place from which Shelby purchases Eliza; the answer she receives allows her to conclude that Eliza is her daughter and Cassy decides to search for her (361). Here, Cassy’s choice permits her to lead the remainder of her life with family that she had thought she lost long ago. Secondly, it allows her to regain another aspect of her goodness: her happiness. In a short period of time and with intentional choices, Cassy fills the apertures in her

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