Chapters 20-23

This forum is for the discussion of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Chapters 20-23

Topsy is introduced. I wonder why St. Claire brought her home. Maybe to make Miss Ophelia a little empathetic of his opinions. As we recall St. Claire helped a slave called Sipico. He broke him with kindness. Maybe St. Claire is forcing Miss Ophelia to do that too. Stowe has a unique way of bringing out empathy in this book. I really enjoyed the character Topsy and how St. Claire stated she would need a lot of energy to make an impression on Topsy.

Back at the farm in Kentucky the “women” (Mrs. Shelby and Aunt Chloe) try to earn money to get Tom back. It sure goes back to the saying of woman strive for justice. Stowe brings out the bonds of women in this situation.

I see Eva getting real sick in the future. Maybe Mrs. St. Claire has some legitimate illness. Her daughter is very fragile also. Little Eva is still bringing out her opinions of the goodness in people.

Stowe also brings out how different twin brothers can be. Augustine and Alfred are worlds apart. They have raised their children to have their beliefs to. It’s like to brothers fighting against each other in the Civil War.

As I read the conversation between St. Clare and his brother Alfred, I realized that as much as I despise what Alfred believes in and allows, I almost hate St. Clare more for feeling the way that he does, and not doing anything about it. I liked that his brother called him on that.

The feminism and role women play, is a nice change. I am surprised that it was accepted at this time (even though they are in the background, their role is very clear)

That's really interesting Kelley. The comment you made about the brothers. Would we always have the strength and conviction to do what is right. St. Claire was sent away to live a quiet life because he couldn't handle to brutal reality of plantation ownership. But he had no other way to make a living except live on the farm and accept the situation.

What would you have done if you were St. Claire?

I like to think that I would have freed my slaves and continued to not only try to free others, but convince people how wrong it really was. But as we know, it is much easier to say than to do (hence the existence of St. Clare)

Could you have existed down south in that time era?

I like to think that stowe portrayed some of the key women as more intelligent and grounded than any of the men in the book, thus far. Even though she sometimes dsguised this by having the woman seem mild and deferring to thier husbands. Mrs. Bird, Chloe and Mrs. Shelby were all strong women who knew what they wanted and worked to make it happen. Many of the men seem to ebb and flow with their surroundings and circumstances nd don't seem to really 'think'. Even Tom who is just too good to be true. I hope there really is a reward for people who can live that blamelessly.
I like to think I would free my slaves aand work for the freedom of all had i lived back then but I bet I would have been more like LaClare, disliking the system but thinking I am powerless to fix it.
Didn't Alfred and Augustine grow up in different places?