In this term paper a closer look will be taken at George L. Aiken’s play Uncle Tom’s Cabin considering the question of the usage of racial stereotypes. The subject will be introduced by quoting a German newspaper headline that stirred a controversy and reflects on how Uncle Tom’s Cabin and especially the perception of racial stereotypes had an impact to this day. Here it will also be stated how the meaning attributed to the character has gone through a major change since its creation.
In the following paragraph the origins of the story will shortly be described, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel of the same title, her background, her motivations and the ambivalence of opposing slavery on the one hand while using und thus reinforcing racial stereotypes on the other.
The next paragraph will show that the same can be said of Aiken who used the novel as the basis for his play shortly after it was published and adopted Stowe’s stereotypes on a large scale. This will be demonstrated on the example of the supposed “religious spirit” of Uncle Tom by taking a closer look at his religious beliefs and his “child-like faith” in the different scenes of the play. Here it becomes particularly interesting how he relates to white adults, respective the discrepancy demonstrated between him and people his own age on the one hand, while the affinity of his mind to the one of children on the other.
The closing statements will include an interpretation and analysis of the representation of Uncle Tom in Aiken’s play especially in terms of Tom’s Christianity. This is meant to discover whether he is only that child-like spirited slave or only a tragic hero or whether his personality is more complex and one should use more then a few words for describing his character.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Body
3. Conclusion
4. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This term paper examines the character representation of Uncle Tom in George L. Aiken’s stage adaptation of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," analyzing the intersection of religious conviction, racial stereotyping, and the evolution of the term's cultural meaning.
- The historical origin and influence of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel.
- The construction of "child-like" racial stereotypes in 19th-century literature.
- The role of Christian faith as a primary motivator for the character of Uncle Tom.
- A critical analysis of the shift in the term "Uncle Tom" from a literary hero to a modern political insult.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Body
When the Berliner Tageszeitung published an article with the headline „Onkel Baracks Hütte“ with a picture of the White House in the Background, the editors were not aware of the controversy they would stir up. It was meant to be a satirical eye-catcher for an article about Obama being the probable party nominee as presidential candidate of the Democrats. But what the editors did not take into consideration was how insulting this headline would be interpreted by Americans. In the last decades Uncle Tom has become a synonym for those African-Americans who are said to be submissive to white people and Germans lack awareness of the deeper meaning of this term. This short present-day example shows how the hero of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin influenced the perception of the interracial discourse to the present day.
According to an article by Moody E. Prior, today there are two Uncle Toms. On the one hand the Uncle Tom who’s story Stowe described in the novel, who became a hero and an example in the struggle against slavery and on the other hand today’s perception of the figure as a symbol of subordination to the dominant white.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on George L. Aiken’s play and establishes the objective to analyze the usage of racial stereotypes regarding the character of Uncle Tom.
2. Body: This section provides historical context, discusses the transformation of the term "Uncle Tom," and analyzes how Christian motifs are used to portray the protagonist as a child-like figure.
3. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes the findings, arguing that while the character representation is stereotypical, Tom’s unwavering adherence to his convictions represents a form of strength rather than mere submissiveness.
4. Bibliography: This section lists the primary and secondary sources used for the research and analysis.
Keywords
Uncle Tom, George L. Aiken, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Racial Stereotypes, Christian Faith, Slavery, Abolitionism, Child-like Faith, Literature, Cultural Studies, Subordination, Representation, 19th Century, Drama, Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the representation of the character Uncle Tom in George L. Aiken’s theatrical adaptation of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," focusing specifically on the usage of racial stereotypes.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the impact of Christian beliefs on character construction, the historical persistence of racial tropes, and the evolution of the term "Uncle Tom" in modern political discourse.
What is the main objective of the analysis?
The goal is to determine if Uncle Tom is merely a "child-like" stereotype or if his character displays a more complex level of moral strength and agency through his religious convictions.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper uses a qualitative literary analysis, interpreting primary text passages from the play and comparing them with critical secondary literature to contextualize the author's findings.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the origin of the story, the influence of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the analysis of specific play scenes to illustrate religious themes, and the modern-day misinterpretation of the character.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Uncle Tom, Racial Stereotypes, Christian Faith, Slavery, Abolitionism, and Cultural Studies.
How does the author interpret Tom's refusal to escape slavery?
The author argues that Tom’s decision not to flee is not a sign of cowardice or naivety, but rather a profound commitment to his Christian faith and his conviction that he must stay true to his internal moral compass.
How does the author connect the play to modern politics?
The author highlights the misuse of the term "Uncle Tom" as a derogatory label for Barack Obama, arguing that this usage ignores the character's original literary context and his specific moral persistence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sarah McCarty (Autor:in), 2008, Who’s that Uncle Tom?!, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/160933
