Podcast
Questions and Answers
In the excerpt, what quality does Mr. Shelby repeatedly emphasize about Tom?
In the excerpt, what quality does Mr. Shelby repeatedly emphasize about Tom?
- His skill in playing musical instruments
- His physical strength
- His ability to read and write
- His honesty and trustworthiness (correct)
According to Haley, what makes religion 'valeyable' in a 'nigger'?
According to Haley, what makes religion 'valeyable' in a 'nigger'?
- It increases their monetary value. (correct)
- It makes them more likely to escape.
- It allows them to lead religious services.
- It makes them better workers.
What does Mr. Shelby say prevented Tom from escaping to Canada?
What does Mr. Shelby say prevented Tom from escaping to Canada?
- Fear of being caught
- Loyalty to his master (correct)
- Lack of knowledge about Canada
- Dislike of the cold weather
What is Haley's profession in the excerpt?
What is Haley's profession in the excerpt?
What offer does Mr. Shelby make to Haley to try and prevent the sale of Tom?
What offer does Mr. Shelby make to Haley to try and prevent the sale of Tom?
Flashcards
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Abolitionist novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exposed the harsh realities of slavery, influencing public opinion and contributing to the Civil War.
Pious Niggers
Pious Niggers
Belief that enslaved people can be genuinely religious and trustworthy, which some slaveholders used to justify their ownership.
Business Conscience
Business Conscience
The idea that in business, one can only afford to have a small amount of moral conscious, to be able to make decisions without being negatively influenced.
Mason-Dixon Line
Mason-Dixon Line
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Trade
Trade
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Study Notes
Summary of Excerpt from Uncle Tom's Cabin
- The excerpt features a conversation between Mr. Shelby and Mr. Haley regarding the potential sale of Tom, a slave.
- Mr. Shelby emphasizes Tom's exceptional qualities: his reliability, honesty, competence, and his ability to manage the entire farm effectively.
- Haley responds with a prejudiced remark, stating "You mean honest, as niggers go," revealing the racial biases prevalent during the time period.
- Mr. Shelby counters Haley's prejudice, asserting that Tom is genuinely good, steady, sensible, and pious, highlighting his religious conversion four years prior.
- Shelby expresses the immense trust he places in Tom, entrusting him with money, the house, horses, and allowing him to travel around the country, always finding him honest.
- Haley acknowledges the economic value of religion in a slave: recalling a religious slave he transported to Orleans who was "quite gentle and quiet like" and "fetched me a good sum".
- Shelby recounts an instance where he sent Tom to Cincinnati to conduct business and bring back five hundred dollars, and Tom returned faithfully despite temptations to escape to Canada.
- Shelby expresses reluctance to part with Tom and suggests he should cover the remaining debt, appealing to Haley's conscience.
- Haley responds that he has just enough conscience "as any man in business can afford to keep" implying that business dealings often require compromising moral principles.
- Haley proposes including a boy or girl in the trade along with Tom.
- Shelby expresses his reluctance to sell anyone at all, stating that it is only hard necessity that makes him willing to sell.
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