Uncle Tom's Cabin
Michael Eng and Evan Wong
Slavery is a detrimental fault in a supposedly equal society.
Advertisement
First Edition Illustration
Uncle Tom, an African American, is being whipped, displaying the unethical, abusive treatment of the slaves that no freeman had to endure.
Color Edition Illustration
Musical Poster
European Plate
Children's Book Illustration
Analysis: Michael Eng
a. Uncle Tom's Cabin is portrayed in various different ways; however, the underlying issue in its narrative is the idea of African American slaves having human emotions as well. Through various scenes in Uncle Tom's Cabin, several characters, including Uncle Tom and Eliza, are witnessing caring for children. It is clear that the slaves equally represent people and are in no way separate from the freeman. Besides the color of skin, slaves are just as capable of expressing emotions as everyone else, showing how in a supposedly equal society, slavery is a hindering factor that prevents the ultimate goal of true freedom.
b. The most shocking thing about the images in Uncle Tom's Cabin is the treatment of the slaves. It has always been clear to the public that these wrongdoings were prevalent in this time period, but not to this extent. To my knowledge, I was only aware that slaves were being punished if they didn't listen to their owners. Now, I learned that slaves are punished for every little thing and that they were wrongfully punished.
Analysis: Evan Wong
a. As well as conveying a sense of error in slavery, these pictures also represent the human emotion of a supposedly “uncivilized people”. In one of these pictures, an African-American woman is depicted running away with a child in her arms.In another picture, an African-American man is depicted pleaing forforgiveness. By showing that African-Americans have the same human feelings and emotion as whites, Uncle Tom’s Cabin implants a sense of guilt into slaveholding readers.
b. To me, the most surprising while examining these pictures, was that women were willing to run away from their owners to pursue a better life for their children, even if that meant risking their own lives instead. In one such picture, a woman is shown running away with a child in her arms while being shouted at by their supposed owners.