Uncle Tom’s Cabin is the most influential literary work with regard to the discussion of slavery of the 18th and 19th century America. In her novel, Harriet Beecher Stowe aims to draw society’s attention to the inhumanity of its system with the help of the novel’s protagonist, Uncle Tom, and various other characters, both black and white. In so doing, she presents different types of femininity and masculinity which help to point out the nature of the system of slavery. Generally speaking, women in Beecher Stowe’s work present abolitionist ideas stating the evil of the system whereas the depiction of male characters is more complex. This paper seeks to examine the types of masculinity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, distinguishing between good and bad, black and white masculinity embodied in the characterization of the characters.
Masculinity has always been associated with physical strength and muscles, toughness and power but most of all courage. This paper, however, will not only address masculinity as such but will also show that masculinity is courage by softness and religious faith. Harriet Beecher Stowe disguises variations of masculinity in her characters: Bad white masculinity is depicted in the behavior of the plantation owner Simon Legree in contrast to the Kentuckian Mr. Shelby and Mr. Augustine St. Clare from New Orleans who imply good white masculinity. The latter two may depict an intermediate position between bad white and black masculinity presented by the slaves Uncle Tom and George Harris. Since Uncle Tom’s Cabin is considered to be a novel in favor of the abolition of slavery, black masculinity is unlikely to be presented badly. This paper therefore focuses on the above-mentioned characters and how they present different types of masculinity, also in relation to how they treat other human beings.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Black Masculinity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
2.1 The Character of Uncle Tom
2.2 The Character of George Harris
3 White Masculinity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
3.1 The Characters of Mr. Shelby and Mr. Augustine St. Clare
3.2 The Character of Mr. Legree
4 Conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
This academic paper examines the multifaceted representations of masculinity in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," specifically distinguishing between black and white male characters and their varying expressions of goodness, cruelty, and moral fortitude within the framework of slavery.
- Analysis of black masculinity as rooted in religious faith, altruism, and the pursuit of freedom.
- Evaluation of "good" white masculinity as constrained by societal laws and personal conflict.
- Character study of Simon Legree as the embodiment of "bad" white masculinity and systemic brutality.
- Exploration of how characters define manhood through either spiritual conviction or physical dominance.
- Critique of the intersection between the legal slave system and individual moral agency.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 The Character of Uncle Tom
The protagonist, a slave named Uncle Tom, is introduced as a “steady, honest, [and] capable [man]. . .” (Beecher Stowe 4), who manages his master’s whole farm, and who is good and loyal as well as pious (4). Further, he is described as humble and simple with “much kindliness and benevolence” (21). In addition to these characteristics, the fact that Tom is called “Uncle” may not match the picture of a strong, masculine man. The term rather creates the picture of an old, small and good-hearted man. Although the latter is indeed true, Uncle Tom is anything but small and feeble. “He [is] a large, broad-chested, powerfully-made man, of full glossy black” (21). Thus, his physical appearance and his character may not agree with each other. The former fits the general definition of masculinity as a strong, severe looking man but in fact, it is his soft character that this paper will be focusing on in the following. Uncle Tom’s masculinity manifests itself in his character and his consequential actions, which are guided by his faith.
Against all expectations, Tom does not blame Mr. Shelby for selling him due to his master’s debts, although the latter had promised Tom his freedom (37). Tom believes that there is a good reason why Mr. Shelby sold him to the slave trader Haley because Tom knows that otherwise, it would not have happened. He is just thankful for the good time he has had at the Shelby estate and that it is him who is sold instead of his wife or children (88-89). So Tom seems to be more concerned with the fate of the other slaves than with his own future, which shows his benevolence. This benevolence makes Tom the man he is: Even on the boat bringing him to deep south where he is not obliged to work, he is “more than ready to lend a hand in every emergency” (134) and later, on Legree’s plantation, he puts all his cotton in a woman’s basket to save her from punishment, being sure to bear strokes better than that poor, feeble woman (327).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the societal context of the novel and outlines the paper's aim to analyze different types of black and white masculinity through character studies.
2 Black Masculinity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin: This section explores how black male identity in the novel is defined primarily by religious belief, altruism, and a quest for liberty rather than just physical power.
2.1 The Character of Uncle Tom: This chapter focuses on Tom's benevolent and faith-driven nature, illustrating how his internal strength and spiritual resilience define his manhood.
2.2 The Character of George Harris: This chapter examines George’s definition of masculinity, which is heavily shaped by his intellectual desire for education and his active pursuit of freedom for his family.
3 White Masculinity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin: This chapter differentiates between various types of white masculinity, ranging from the well-intentioned but law-abiding masters to the brutal supremacy of the plantation owner.
3.1 The Characters of Mr. Shelby and Mr. Augustine St. Clare: This section highlights the inner conflict of masters who hold moral principles but ultimately remain confined and complicit due to the legal system of slavery.
3.2 The Character of Mr. Legree: This chapter analyzes the archetype of the brutal oppressor, demonstrating how Simon Legree's reliance on violence and supremacy leads to his eventual moral and personal ruin.
4 Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes how Stowe uses these diverse characterizations to argue that genuine masculinity is found in empathy and faith, while systems of oppression degrade the humanity of the oppressor.
Keywords
Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe, masculinity, slavery, black identity, white supremacy, morality, religion, abolition, benevolence, George Harris, Simon Legree, Augustine St. Clare, character analysis, freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the representation of masculinity in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s "Uncle Tom’s Cabin," analyzing how different male characters—both black and white—embody or challenge traditional concepts of manhood within the context of American slavery.
What are the key thematic areas discussed in the work?
The analysis covers the dichotomy between physical and spiritual strength, the impact of slavery on individual identity, the influence of religious faith, and the ethical dilemmas faced by both slave owners and the enslaved.
What is the primary research question?
The paper seeks to distinguish between "good" and "bad" versions of masculinity, questioning how Harriet Beecher Stowe uses her characters to present different moral archetypes in the debate regarding the abolition of slavery.
Which scientific methods are employed in the analysis?
The author uses literary character analysis, focusing on textual evidence, dialogue, and narrative portrayal to categorize masculinity and evaluate how each character interacts with the socio-legal framework of their time.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body is divided into examinations of black masculinity (through Uncle Tom and George Harris) and white masculinity (through Shelby, St. Clare, and Legree), contrasting their motivations, actions, and ultimate fates.
Which keywords define this academic work?
The most relevant keywords include "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "masculinity," "slavery," "abolition," "benevolence," "religious faith," and "character analysis."
How does the author define the difference between the masculinity of Uncle Tom and George Harris?
While both represent positive black masculinity, Tom’s strength is defined by patience, spiritual self-sacrifice, and religious obedience, whereas George’s strength is driven by a more active, intellectual desire for legal freedom and family protection.
What is the significance of the character Simon Legree in the paper's argument?
Simon Legree is presented as the embodiment of "bad" white masculinity; he serves as a foil to the other characters, showing that a masculinity based solely on brutality, profit, and dehumanization ultimately leads to self-destruction and moral bankruptcy.
- Quote paper
- Lisa Cramer (Author), 2014, Black and White Masculinity in Uncle Tom's Cabin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/275919
