Rejected Femininity in Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe struck its readers in more than one way. Very popular, Uncle Tom's Cabin has been adapted into plays and children's books. Advertisers, using the Uncle Tom sentiment for their own creations, employed Stowe's unforgettable characters to sell their products. The nation was awash with Uncle Tom. Although widely criticized by the Southern press for its supposed lack of facts and overreliance on feelings, Stowe's novel succeeded not only in arousing people's sympathy for slaves, but also in fostering action policy. The influence of his novel is great because it brings out powerful feelings and convinces the reader that these feelings transcend racial differences. To do this, Stowe skillfully draws on numerous sources of growing sentiment. However, her portrayal of motherhood and her direct speeches to readers on this subject were very powerful for 19th-century mothers. Motherhood in Stowe's time, with its newly evolved emotions and duties, is presented by Stowe as something that can and does transcend race. No doubt envisioning her mother readers, Stowe appeals to the feelings evoked by motherhood to present slavery as, among other things, a violation of a woman's "divine and inherent duty" to herself, her children, and her nation . This violation, as Stowe shows, in accordance with popular conceptions of motherhood, can only lead to a brutal, selfish, disobedient, and unsympathetic populace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayMrs. Lydia Sigourney is the author of “Letters to Mothers,” a global vision of motherhood in the 19th century. Sigourney's views were both popular and respected at the time of Stowe's novel. In an era when children began to live longer and childhood experiences and learning became more important, the duties and privileges of motherhood expanded. Letter I of Ms. Sigourney's publication describes these privileges and duties. Sigourney encourages women to shape the “shapeless character of their children” (1). It was believed that only through the good influence of a mother could a child become an intelligent and conscientious person. Stowe's characters, who received much or no maternal education, are evidence of Sigourney's conclusion. Chapter twenty of Stowe's novel is devoted to Topsy, a young girl of nine or ten years old purchased by St. Clare. Topsy knew no motherly love and felt no sympathy for the plight of others. Her “wickedness” is great, and she is said to be an accomplished thief. Topsy never cared about anyone because no one cared about her. Like many enslaved children, he was denied maternal love, having been raised by a speculator on what amounted to a child farm. Topsy was not raised, but simply “grown up”. Slavery created this tragic girl. Having been taken from her mother, who Sigourney believes, in 19th-century society, should have been her moral educator, Topsy is described as "so pagan as to inspire deep consternation in a good lady" (352). One can imagine the 19th century mother's shock and contempt at the system that could allow this to happen. Mothers of the time were led to believe that their duties were so great, even divine, that to deny them was both inherently evil and detrimental to their lives..

Essay / Rejected Femininity in Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe struck its readers in more than one way. Very popular, Uncle Tom's Cabin has been adapted into plays and children's books. Advertisers, using the Uncle Tom sentiment for their own creations, employed Stowe's unforgettable characters to sell their products. The nation was awash with Uncle Tom. Although widely criticized by the Southern press for its supposed lack of facts and overreliance on feelings, Stowe's novel succeeded not only in arousing people's sympathy for slaves, but also in fostering action policy. The influence of his novel is great because it brings out powerful feelings and convinces the reader that these feelings transcend racial differences. To do this, Stowe skillfully draws on numerous sources of growing sentiment. However, her portrayal of motherhood and her direct speeches to readers on this subject were very powerful for 19th-century mothers. Motherhood in Stowe's time, with its newly evolved emotions and duties, is presented by Stowe as something that can and does transcend race. No doubt envisioning her mother readers, Stowe appeals to the feelings evoked by motherhood to present slavery as, among other things, a violation of a woman's "divine and inherent duty" to herself, her children, and her nation . This violation, as Stowe shows, in accordance with popular conceptions of motherhood, can only lead to a brutal, selfish, disobedient, and unsympathetic populace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayMrs. Lydia Sigourney is the author of “Letters to Mothers,” a global vision of motherhood in the 19th century. Sigourney's views were both popular and respected at the time of Stowe's novel. In an era when children began to live longer and childhood experiences and learning became more important, the duties and privileges of motherhood expanded. Letter I of Ms. Sigourney's publication describes these privileges and duties. Sigourney encourages women to shape the “shapeless character of their children” (1). It was believed that only through the good influence of a mother could a child become an intelligent and conscientious person. Stowe's characters, who received much or no maternal education, are evidence of Sigourney's conclusion. Chapter twenty of Stowe's novel is devoted to Topsy, a young girl of nine or ten years old purchased by St. Clare. Topsy knew no motherly love and felt no sympathy for the plight of others. Her “wickedness” is great, and she is said to be an accomplished thief. Topsy never cared about anyone because no one cared about her. Like many enslaved children, he was denied maternal love, having been raised by a speculator on what amounted to a child farm. Topsy was not raised, but simply “grown up”. Slavery created this tragic girl. Having been taken from her mother, who Sigourney believes, in 19th-century society, should have been her moral educator, Topsy is described as "so pagan as to inspire deep consternation in a good lady" (352). One can imagine the 19th century mother's shock and contempt at the system that could allow this to happen. Mothers of the time were led to believe that their duties were so great, even divine, that to deny them was both inherently evil and detrimental to their lives..

Navigation

« Prev 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Get In Touch