The book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was obviously a novel where the setting was the major factor in the plot of the story. If this had taken place in any other area, like Canada, there would not have even been as story because slavery did not exist there. Therefore the South was the prime region to have this plot revolve around. Everything contained here contributed to the actions of the characters, which will be explained in the following paragraphs. The setting was such an important influence because, like I said before, it took place down in the South.
This is where slavery was at its eak and was used and abused by almost every citizen. The black race was treated harshly just because of their color. They were beaten, over-worked, and disrespected. Most of them were illiterate as well which did not help one bit. In turn they could not make intelligent decisions, better yet pursue what they wanted. Even if they had that ability though, that option was not available because they were “black”. The details of the setting that influenced the actions of the characters were, again, the time period and where it took place.
However this was not the only thing that persuaded the characters because they nfluenced each other. The citizens followed the crowd and did not have their own opinions. If some person’s idea differed from that of the majority, he/she would not dare speak up because they feared rejection. Legree was one of the people looked up to and respected even though what he was dong was totally wrong. Since he had power and money though, he was admired. The only three people that actually did take a stand, if you will, were George Shelby Jr. Augustine St. Clare, and his daughter, Evangeline.
These three characters opposed slavery and tried to do something about it. Unfortunately, though, the St. Clare’s efforts were diminished because they both died). They were the citizens that should have been looked up to and followed. Specific examples that show the setting’s influence on the characters were all over the book. The next three excerpts will give you an illustration of them.
This first passage was at the very beginning of the book when Mr. Legree was inside of the Shelby’s house, trying to make a deal on slaves. See, the Shelby’s were in debt at the moment and the only way that they could make some money was to sell some of their slaves. This family was ery nice indeed to their slaves and took care of them well so the last thing that they wanted to do was sell them off, but in order to keep the plantation functioning, money was needed. Therefore, Mr. Legree was going to buy ten male slaves of his choice. One out of his ten happened to be Eliza’s (Mrs. Shelby’s housekeeper) little son, Harry.
He was only buying Harry to anger Eliza because he had actually wanted her, but could not have her. This next passage describes his personality and that of the other slave traders. Lor bless ye, yes! These critters an’t like white folks, you know; hey gets over things, only manage right. “Now, they say”, said Haley, assuming a candid and confidential air, “that this kind o’ trade is hardening to the feelings; but I never found it so. Fact is, I never could do things up the way some fellers manage the business.
I’ve seen ’em as would p7ll a woman’s child out her arms, and wset him up tos ell, and she screechin’ like mad all the time; — very bad policy – damages the article – makes ’em quite unfit for service sometimes. I knew a real handsome gal once, in Orleans, as was entirely ruined by this sort o’ handling. The ellow that was trading for her didn’t’ want her handling. The fellow that was trading for her didn’t’ want her baby; and she was one of your real high sort, when hr blood was up. I tell you, she squeezed up her child in her arms, and talked, and went on real awful.
It kinder makes my blood run cold to think on’t; and when they carried off the child, a nd locked her up, she jest went ravin’ mad, and died in a week. Clear waste, sir, of a thousand dollars, just for want of management – there’s where ’tis. It’s always best to do the humane thing, sir; that’s been my experience. ” And he trader leaned back in his chair, and folded his arms, with an air of virtuous decision, apparently considering himself a second Wilberforce. (Stowe, p. 5). This next excerpt shows how brutally the slaves were treated at some plantations.
The characters in this section are Cassy (the girl who is getting beaten) and an overseer. He has the nerve to stick a pin in her head to wake her up after she fainted from being overworked and whatnot. This is awful. “I’ll bring her to! ” said the driver, with a brutal grin. “I’ll give her something better than camphire! ” and, taking a pin from his coat-sleeve, e buried it into the head in her flesh. The woman groaned, and half rose. “Get up, you beast, and work, will yer, or I’ll show yer a trick more! ” (p. 351).
The last paragraph again shows the misconduct of the slave traders when they are inspecting their slaves and deciding if they want to buy them or not. How they treat them makes me cringe everytime because it is so wrong. A little before the sale commenced, a short, broad, muscular man, in a checked shirt considerably open at the bosom, and pantaloons much the worse for dirt and ware, elbowed his way through the crowd, like one who is oing actively into business; and coming up to the group, began to examine them systematically.
From the moment that Tom saw him approaching, he felt an immediate and revolting horror at him, that increased as he came near. He was evidently, though short, of gigantic strength. His round, bullet head, light-gray eyes with their shaggy, sandy eye-brows, and stiff, wiry, sunburned hair, were rather unprepossessing items, it is to be confessed; his large, coarse mouth was distented with tobacco, the juice of which, from time to time, he ejected from him with great decision and explosive orce; his hands were immensely large, hairy, sun-burned, freckled, and very dirty, and garnished with long nails, in a very foul condition.
This man proceeded to a very free personal examination of the lot. He seized Tom by the jaw, and pulled open his mouth to inspect his mouth; made him strip up his sleeve, to show his muscle; turned him round, made him jump and spring to show his paces. (p. 332). As you can see, the setting is the major influence in this book. It puts everything into place and ties everything together to make sense. Without it, there probably would be no, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, and that would be a great loss indeed.
