Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is Uncle Tom's Cabin considered to be?
What is Uncle Tom's Cabin considered to be?
What is significant about Uncle Tom's Cabin in American history?
What is significant about Uncle Tom's Cabin in American history?
What is the contribution of Uncle Tom's Cabin to the U.S. Civil War?
What is the contribution of Uncle Tom's Cabin to the U.S. Civil War?
What is the central theme of the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
What is the central theme of the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
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How would a 19th-century historian analyze the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
How would a 19th-century historian analyze the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
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What is unique about the perspective of the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
What is unique about the perspective of the excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin?
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What was the occasion when Tom got religion?
What was the occasion when Tom got religion?
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What is the significance of the Mason-Dixon line in the context of Uncle Tom's Cabin?
What is the significance of the Mason-Dixon line in the context of Uncle Tom's Cabin?
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What did Haley have to say about religion in niggers?
What did Haley have to say about religion in niggers?
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Why did Mr. Shelby trust Tom with large sums of money?
Why did Mr. Shelby trust Tom with large sums of money?
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What was Haley's attitude towards Mr. Shelby's proposal?
What was Haley's attitude towards Mr. Shelby's proposal?
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What was the amount of money Tom was trusted with during his trip to Cincinnati?
What was the amount of money Tom was trusted with during his trip to Cincinnati?
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Why did Tom refuse to escape to Canada?
Why did Tom refuse to escape to Canada?
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What did Haley compare his conscience to?
What did Haley compare his conscience to?
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Why was Mr. Shelby unwilling to sell his slaves?
Why was Mr. Shelby unwilling to sell his slaves?
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Study Notes
Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Published in the 19th century, Uncle Tom's Cabin is one of the most popular works of historical fiction in American history.
- The novel exposed facets of slavery and life in the South that people in the North had never heard before.
- The story centers around the life and experiences of a slave named Tom.
Excerpt Analysis
- The excerpt features a conversation between Tom's owner, Mr. Shelby, and a trader, Haley, about potentially selling Tom.
- Mr. Shelby describes Tom as "an uncommon fellow" who is "steady, honest, capable, and manages my whole farm like a clock."
- Haley is hesitant to pay the desired sum, citing that Tom's value is based on his honesty, not just his capabilities as a slave.
Character Analysis
- Tom is depicted as a pious, gentle, and sensible individual who got religion at a camp-meeting four years prior to the conversation.
- Haley, on the other hand, is portrayed as a cunning trader who sees the value in a slave's religion, but not necessarily their humanity.
Themes and Context
- The excerpt highlights the theme of slavery and the dehumanizing effects it had on people.
- The conversation between Mr. Shelby and Haley exemplifies the commodification of slaves, treating them as mere assets to be bought and sold.
- The novel, written in the 19th century, sheds light on the harsh realities of slavery in the pre-Civil War era.
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Description
Analyze Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' as a 19th century historian, applying 19th century historiography styles and methods. This quiz assesses your understanding of historical fiction and its significance in the 19th century.
