Recently i read a book that did something to me that had never happened while reading a book before.Many of you will have read "Uncle Tom's Cabin- Harriet Beecher Stowe" .For the last couple of days i have been carefully reading and re reading this beautiful book.
Never before has a book had this effect on me.Never before has a book evoked so many emotions.Never before has a book made me feel so depressed and yet so hopeful.
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| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Tom's_Cabin |
To illustrate a bit the book is about African American slaves when each slave was owned by the master.The slave was the property of the master and the master was permitted by law to do as he pleases with his slave.Be it marry "it" off, tear apart a family of slaves piece by piece and sell off the kids to all different parts of the country,make the slave work as field hands all night and all day or be it whip the slave to death.It was believed that these Negroes were no better than dogs and were treated like them.Or maybe if possible worse. They were agreed to have no feelings towards their family and they were not permitted to love.Even if they did love, it was considered meaningless.
In such a terrible and miserable climate Uncle Tom is one such slave known to be infinitely faithful and pious.He is the epitome of trust and loyalty.His two greatest joys are his family and a tattered copy of his bible.Our Uncle Tom is sold off to a St. Clare.His new master is someone who particularly never liked owning slaves and treated them extremely well and with proper respect.He despised the slavery system and is found to meddle with the idea of slave freedom.His relationship with his slaves is amusing and Uncle Tom's concern and care for him is touching.St. Clare has a daughter Eva, who Uncle Tom perceives as no less than the Lord's Angel.She is kind,patient,generous and a thoughtful child who embraces her Negro friends and loves each and every one of them with a heart melting sincerity.Uncle Tom's relation with her is most extra ordinary.Instances where both of them recite verses of the bible from Uncle Tom's copy are extremely memorable.
Another story is of the magnificent escape of Eliza, beautiful and strong and her husband George with their child to freedom.
Uncle Tom is tested and treated by the Lord's ways towards the end of his life and his firm belief in God and his undying hope breaks your heart.
The biggest irony of the book is the struggle of the slaves and the masters to live with each other.It is said in the book,often,that the slaves are better off living with their masters.Its is also said that this burden on the conscience of the master is much more than any human should handle.
This book signifies so much more than oppressed labour.It symbolizes freedom,courage,strength and the will to live and hope - seen in the eyes of the most ill-treated human race in history.
