Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly: Analysis of Major Characters
"Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly" is a seminal work by Harriet Beecher Stowe that explores the lives of enslaved individuals in the antebellum South, highlighting their struggles, resilience, and humanity. The novel's major characters include Uncle Tom, a deeply moral and submissive slave who ultimately suffers a tragic fate at the hands of the cruel Simon Legree. Eliza, another enslaved woman, displays remarkable bravery when she escapes to save her child from being sold. Her husband, George Harris, also escapes, and together they seek freedom in Canada.
Mr. Shelby, the original owner of Tom and Eliza, faces moral dilemmas as he contemplates selling his slaves due to financial pressures. The portrait of Eva St. Clare, a kind-hearted girl who wishes for the freedom of slaves, offers a contrast to the cruelty exemplified by Legree, who represents the brutal realities of slavery. Other characters, like Miss Ophelia and Cassy, contribute to the narrative by showcasing differing perspectives on slavery. Through these characters, Stowe emphasizes themes of familial love, the quest for freedom, and the moral conflicts surrounding slavery, inviting readers to reflect on the societal norms of her time. This rich tapestry of character interactions serves as a powerful commentary on the human condition and the institution of slavery.
Uncle Tom's Cabin: Or, Life Among the Lowly: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe
First published: 1851–1852, serial; 1852, book
Genre: Novel
Locale: Kentucky and Mississippi
Plot: Social realism
Time: Mid-nineteenth century
Uncle Tom, a slave. Although he is good and unrebellious, he is sold by his owner. After serving a second kind but im-provident master, he comes under the ownership of brutal Simon Legree and dies as a result of his beatings.
Eliza, a slave. Learning that her child is about to be sold away along with Tom, she takes the child and runs away, crossing the Ohio River by leaping from floating ice cake to floating ice cake.
George Harris, her husband, a slave on a neighboring plantation. He also escapes, passing as a Spaniard, and reaches Ohio, where he joins his wife and child. Together, they go to freedom in Canada.
Harry, the child of Eliza and George.
Mr. Shelby, the original owner of Eliza, Harry, and Uncle Tom. Encumbered by debt, he plans to sell a slave to his chief creditor.
Haley, the buyer, a New Orleans slave dealer. He shrewdly selects Uncle Tom and persuades Mr. Shelby to part with Harry in spite of his better feelings.
George Shelby, Mr. Shelby's son. He promises to buy Tom back one day but arrives at Legree's plantation as Tom is dying. When his father dies, he frees all his slaves in Uncle Tom's name.
Mrs. Shelby, Mr. Shelby's wife. She delays the pursuit of Eliza by serving a late breakfast.
Marks and Loker, slave-catchers hired by Haley to track Eliza through Ohio. Loker, wounded by George Harris in a fight, is given medical treatment by the Quakers who are protecting the runaways.
Augustine St. Clare, the purchaser of Tom after Tom saves his daughter's life. He dies before making arrangements necessary to free his slaves.
Eva St. Clare, his saintly and frail daughter. Before her death, she asks her father to free his slaves.
Mrs. St. Clare, a hypochondriac invalid. After her husband's death, she sends Tom to the slave market.
Miss Ophelia, St. Clare's cousin from the North. She comes to look after Eva and is unused to lavish Southern customs.
Topsy, a pixie-like black child bought by St. Clare for Miss Ophelia to educate; later, he makes the gift legal.
Simon Legree, the alcoholic and superstitious brute who purchases Tom and kills him. He is a Northerner by birth.
Cassy, Legree's slave. She uses his superstitions to advantage in her escape. Her young daughter, who was sold years ago, proves to be Eliza, and mother and daughter are reunited in Canada.
Emmeline, another of Legree's slaves. She escapes with Cassy.
Madame de Thoux, whom Cassy and Emmeline meet on a northbound riverboat. She proves to be George Harris'sister.
Aunt Chloe, Uncle Tom's wife, left behind in Uncle Tom's cabin on the Shelby plantation.
Senator Bird, in whose house Eliza first finds shelter in Ohio.
Mrs. Bird,hiswife.
Simeon Halliday and Rachel Halliday, who give shelter to the fugitive slaves.