The Message in the Actions of Uncle Tom (Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe Book Analysis)

Spreading belief in the idea that one cannot consider themself a Christian or a good person while owning slaves is the intention of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. The book follows several captive individuals through everyday life while enslaved, who rely strongly upon Christian theology morals and basic human principles. All based on true stories, the horrors each slave has to endure expose the cruel nature of slavery and add to the point Harriet aims to make. To get her message across, Stowe specifically uses the character of Uncle Tom to represent some of the main principles of Christianity, three of which are forgiveness, faith in an afterlife and trust in God. 

Forgiveness is one of the main focuses in the Christian religion, and plays a very important role in Uncle Tom’s lifestyle. As he suffers cruel masters and broken promises not once is Tom bitter, and not once does he hold a grudge. He remains obedient and hardworking all while knowing there is no personal gain. His nature which is nothing but kind and merciful makes it even more obvious how painfully undeserving Tom is of all that he has to endure. The mannerisms Uncle Tom possesses can be directly compared to Jesus in the Bible, who is written to have expressed forgiveness and salvation to all people regardless of their previous sins. Even as he dies from his brutal whipping Tom tells Master George that Legree has not done anything wrong and deserves the love of Christ just like everyone else. "Hush, Mas'r George!—it worries me! Don't feel so! He an't done me no real harm,—only opened the gate of the kingdom for me; that's all!" (Stowe, 281). 

Throughout his various masters and the many trials he encounters, Tom continuously reminds himself of the reward he believes he is headed towards. Uncle Tom has read about Heaven in the Bible and believes that if he remains faithful to God and compliant with what his masters require he will one day be granted relief and eternal peace. With this in mind Tom looks toward his death with excitement. "O, Mas'r George, ye're too late. The Lord's bought me, and is going to take me home,—and I long to go. Heaven is better than Kintuck." (Stowe, 280) Heaven is mentioned 582 times in the Bible, and most of the verses in which the word ‘heaven’ is used tell the reader that God has already prepared a place of comfort and calm in paradise for them after they die. Tom holds fast to this belief and that keeps him from becoming overwhelmed and discouraged by the harsh reality he lives in.

One of the biggest and most stressed points in the Bible is how Christians need to have absolute trust in God. Christians are told to give their troubles up to God and have peace that He will handle them and that everything will work out for the better according to His plan. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.”-Proverbs 3:5-6. As fellow slaves share their stories or kind masters undergo difficult situations Uncle Tom gives this same advice. Tom is certain that God has His hand in the lives of every white man and every slave, and that everything is happening for a reason that will soon make sense. 

The character of Uncle Tom is crucial in depicting some of the fundamentals of the Christian religion, which are forgiveness, faith in an afterlife and trust in God. Personifying these principles makes the story all that more personal and painful for the reader, and accentuates the purpose of the book by making it clear how unlike Tom slave owners were. The goal Stowe seems to have with the character of Uncle Tom was accomplished, and heartstrings of readers both North and South were undeniably pulled.