What can I say about Uncle Tom that hasn't already been said? I don't know why it took me so long to finally read it, but I'm so happy that one of my professors assigned it this semester. I read it in one week (over 500 pages!)The story of Uncle Tom is both tragic and beautiful. Stowe portrays American slavery realistically, drawing on many factual sources for many of the incidents told throughout the book. But she also uses different characters as symbols of slavery as a whole or as symbols of religion. You can't help but love Uncle Tom so much for his goodness and dignity, and loathe and pity his oppressors for their cruelty and ignorance. Humanity can be just as ugly and oppressive as it can be beautiful and loving. Stowe shows that so vividly in this book. After reading it, I felt as though Tom were a dear friend. Not every writer can create a character so real and beloved!
This book has been described as "the single greatest work of propoganda ever to be published in this country." That is a true statement! If you haven't read "Uncle Tom's Cabin," please don't put it off as long as I did!
