dec 12, 1852 - Harriet Beecher Stowe: Uncle Tom's Cabin

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Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin was an important piece of abolitionist literature. The book was an emotional narrative that had vivid characters such as Uncle Tom, Eliza, and Eva who helped galvanize public opinion in the North against the institution of slavery. Bringing such issues to light as the slaves only being treated as an object of purpose and not an actual person. One example of that would be "'Don't know 'bout that,' said Haley; 'He's a pretty smart young 'un - straight, fat, strong; flesh as hard as a brick!'"(Stowe, 821). This quote gives a clear view of how plantation owners viewed slaves at auctions, just looking at their figure and seeing if they think they could handle the back breaking work they have for them. This book contributed to the American identity by emphasizing themes of justice, compassion and the inherent dignity of all human beings. It encouraged readers to consider the nation's values and contradictions between the ideas of freedom and the existence of slavery. Challenging what people knew of the moral and ethical issues surrounding slavery and bringing them to the forefront of national consiousnesess, making it impossible for many Americans to ignore the inhumanity of the practice.

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