Uncle Tom's Cabin

### Uncle Tom's Cabin

**Uncle Tom's Cabin**, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe and published in 1852, is a seminal anti-slavery novel that had a profound impact on American society and contributed to the tensions leading up to the Civil War. The novel is noted for its vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of slavery and its role in shaping public opinion against the institution of slavery.

### Major Themes and Plot Points

- **Slavery and Human Suffering**: The novel portrays the brutal conditions and moral dilemmas associated with slavery. It emphasizes the inhumanity and cruelty experienced by enslaved individuals and highlights the moral conflicts faced by those who are complicit in the system.

- **Religious Morality and Redemption**: Christianity and moral integrity play central roles in the story. The protagonist, Uncle Tom, exemplifies Christian virtues such as forgiveness and faith, even in the face of extreme adversity and violence.

- **Family and Escape**: Several subplots focus on the theme of escape and the struggle for freedom. The character Eliza Harris, for example, dramatically escapes with her young son across the ice-filled Ohio River to avoid being separated from him.

### Key Characters

- **Uncle Tom**: The title character, known for his unwavering faith and gentleness. Despite being sold and resold to increasingly harsh masters, he remains a figure of strength and moral fortitude. His final owner, Simon Legree, orders his death after Uncle Tom refuses to betray fellow slaves.

- **Eliza Harris**: A courageous enslaved woman who escapes with her son, Harry, to avoid being sold away from her husband. Her dramatic escape across the icy Ohio River is one of the novel’s most famous scenes.

- **Eva St. Clare**: The angelic daughter of Augustine St. Clare who befriends Uncle Tom and inspires him with her kindness and Christian faith. Her untimely death deeply affects the characters around her.

- **Simon Legree**: A cruel and ruthless plantation owner who buys Tom and subjects him to brutal treatment. He represents the worst aspects of the slavery system and is ultimately responsible for Uncle Tom’s death.

- **Augustine St. Clare**: Eva’s father, who buys Tom and treats him with kindness. He is a complex character who struggles with his own complicity in the slavery system and plans to free Tom before his sudden death.

### Significant Impact

**Uncle Tom's Cabin** had a massive impact upon its release. It is widely credited with helping to galvanize the abolitionist movement in the United States. Abraham Lincoln reportedly referred to Stowe as “the little lady who started this great war,” acknowledging the novel’s influence on public sentiment about slavery.

### Common Clues in Quizbowl Questions

1. **Simon Legree**:

   - Simon Legree is the cruel plantation owner who ultimately orders Uncle Tom's death.

   - **Example Clue**: "The protagonist is eventually whipped to death on the orders of his next owner, Simon Legree."

2. **Eliza's Escape**:

   - Eliza Harris’s dramatic escape across the icy Ohio River with her son is one of the most memorable scenes in the novel.

   - **Example Clue**: "Eliza escapes over the Ohio River with her baby."

3. **Eva St. Clare**:

   - Eva St. Clare is the young, kind-hearted girl who befriends Uncle Tom and dies tragically young.

   - **Example Clue**: "The title character meets Augustine after he saves little Eva St. Clare from drowning."

4. **Quimbo and Sambo**:

   - Quimbo and Sambo are Simon Legree’s overseers who beat Uncle Tom to death.

   - **Example Clue**: "Quimbo and Sambo violently beat the protagonist."

### Related Quizbowl Facts

1. Uncle Tom is sold to the brutal plantation owner Simon ___1___, who eventually orders his death.

2. Eliza Harris makes a dramatic escape by crossing the frozen ___2___ River to save her child.

3. Little ___3___ St. Clare, who befriends Uncle Tom, dies young and inspires him with her kindness.

4. Uncle Tom is beaten to death by the overseers Quimbo and ___4___ on the orders of Simon Legree.

5. The novel’s author, Harriet Beecher Stowe, was called "the little lady who started this ___5___" by Abraham Lincoln.

6. Augustine St. Clare, Eva's father, buys Uncle Tom and treats him with ___6___ before his untimely death.

Answers:

1. Legree

2. Ohio

3. Eva

4. Sambo

5. war

6. kindness

Uncle Tom's Cabin remains a powerful exploration of the evils of slavery and the enduring strength of human dignity and morality.

Based on the repeated references and clues from the questions about "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, here is a list of the key elements and their frequency count:

1. **Simon Legree** (13 occurrences)

   - Simon Legree is often mentioned as the cruel plantation owner who orders Uncle Tom to be beaten to death. 

2. **Eva St. Clare** (12 occurrences)

   - Eva is frequently referenced in connection with Uncle Tom saving her from drowning and later being a symbol of kindness and purity before her death.

3. **Eliza's escape across the frozen Ohio River** (12 occurrences)

   - Eliza's daring escape, often over floating ice in the Ohio River, is a commonly noted plot point.

4. **Ophelia and Topsy** (10 occurrences)

   - The relationship between Ophelia and Topsy, with Ophelia being tasked with educating Topsy and their development, is often highlighted.

5. **Quimbo and Sambo beating Uncle Tom to death** (9 occurrences)

   - The brutal actions of Quimbo and Sambo under Legree's orders leading to Uncle Tom's death are frequently mentioned.

6. **George Harris and Tom Loker** (9 occurrences)

   - George Harris’s actions, including shooting Tom Loker and his role in the escape to Canada, and Loker's transformation after being shot and healed by Quakers, are recurring points.

7. **Arthur Shelby's debt** (7 occurrences)

   - The initial predicament with Arthur Shelby’s debt that leads to the sale of Uncle Tom and Eliza’s son is a repeated reference.

8. **Augustine St. Clare** (7 occurrences)

   - Augustine St. Clare, the father of Eva and an owner of Uncle Tom before Legree, is often mentioned for his complex views and tragic death before freeing his slaves.

9. **The education and character of Topsy** (7 occurrences)

   - Topsy’s mischievous nature, her education by Ophelia, and her significant role in the novel are repeatedly highlighted.

10. **Cassy and Emmeline’s escape** (6 occurrences)

    - Cassy and Emmeline's plan and subsequent escape from Legree's plantation are frequently noted.

11. **Uncle Tom’s loyalty and faith** (5 occurrences)

    - Uncle Tom's steadfast faith, refusal to betray the hiding places of other slaves, and his enduring loyalty are common themes.

12. **The influence and reception of the novel** (5 occurrences)

    - The novel’s impact, including Lincoln’s reputed comment about its role in starting the Civil War and responses from other authors, is frequently mentioned.

13. **The “Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin”** (4 occurrences)

    - Harriet Beecher Stowe’s follow-up publication, "A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin," which provided evidence and documentation supporting the events in the novel, is occasionally referenced.

14. **Aunt Chloe** (4 occurrences)

    - Aunt Chloe, Uncle Tom’s wife who remains hopeful and diligent throughout the story, is sometimes mentioned.

These elements are central to the narrative and thematic structure of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and are consistently highlighted in quiz questions about the novel.