The Impact of slavery and Christianity in American History (Essay Sample)

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The impact of slavery and Christianity in American history.
Uncle Tom’s cabin, a symbol in itself served as an eye-opener during the civil wars of U.S.A. The characters in the novel depict the real situation experienced by African American people before slavery as an institution was abolished. Stowe, the author of this book uses her characters to enhance her view on the subject and brings to light how the situation appeared from both sides, as a slave and as a slave-owner.
Firstly, Stowe weaves in symbolism in her novel. She uses geography to depict the north to represent freedom and the south as related to slavery and suffering. One of the character’s, George Harris and his wife Eliza escape to the north, earn their freedom by escaping to Canada and miraculously meet Eliza’s mother with whom she had long been separated. By chance, they come across George’s sister who was lucky enough to be granted her freedom and inherited her late husband’s wealth. She shares her fortune with George and Eliza and they supposedly live happily ever after in Liberia, a West-African state for freed slaves (Stowe 376). On the other hand, the main protagonist in this novel, Uncle Tom refuses to run away from his master. He stays in the south and for a while is lucky enough to have kind masters. However, his luck finally runs out when he is bought by a mean man called Legree. Legree tortures him and in the end kills him. The fate of both slaves is seen to be different because of their geographical position (SparkNotes Editors).
Secondly, Uncle Tom’s cabin, a major symbol in this book is also used to emphasize the theme of the evil nature of slavery. In the cabin, George Shelby, Tom’s initial owner’s son, saw the evil of slavery and the power of Christianity to overcome it. The cabin is used to symbolize Tom’s sacrifice for his friends and values. He died as a result of a beating from Legree after he refused to disclose information that would have helped in the capture of some runaway slaves, Cassy and Emmeline. Owing to Legree’s behavior, capture would mean torture for the slaves as such, Tom does not help Legree. Legree then tortures Tom by beating him till near death. He dies when George, his former master and friend arrives to set him free, dying a peaceful death. He dies loving his oppressor, stating that he would give blood from his heart to save him and thus defeats Legree even in his death (Stowe 365).
Furthermore, Eliza, George Harris’ wife jumps across the Ohio River to escape the person pursuing her, Haley. Haley had bought Harry, Eliza’s son from Mr. Shelby. Unable to bear the thought of being separated from her son, Eliza decides to run away to Canada with her son to free him from slavery. Haley gets close to capturing Eliza but she dangerously jumps across the icy river, disregarding her pain in order to save her son. She is able to escape to the other side, though far from her freedom, this deed is skillfully used to sy...