Sara Barnett
IAH 207; Section 09
September 19, 2014
TA: Garth Sabo
Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Power of Love
The novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, has a lot of representations of power. Power is, “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events” (“power”). Power can also be described as an ability to accomplish an objective. Along with power, Stowe’s novel also incorporates a theme of love. Love is, “a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection” (“love”). Love is also caring deeply about the well-being of others, and in turn being there to help them. Based on these definitions of power and love, Eva St. Clare is the strongest character in this novel that displays when these qualities …show more content…
Her aunt Ophelia cares for and teaches one of Augustine St. Clare’s servants, Topsy. Topsy is a very wicked child and gets into a lot of mischief, and Ophelia has a hard time educating Topsy. When Eva fell ill and her final days drew near, Ophelia was able to witness Eva’s love for all people, including Topsy. Once Eva passed, Ophelia has a reflection due to the loss of Eva and it causes her to then make changes in her actions. Eva cares about the well-being of everyone around her and all throughout Uncle Tom’s Cabin she shows and expresses her love for everyone. After Eva’s passing from illness Ophelia was, “more softened, more gentle; and, though equally assiduous in every duty, it was with a chastened and quiet air, as one who communed with her own heart not in vain. She was more diligent in teaching Topsy” (Stowe 443). Eva’s love for Topsy, and everyone made Ophelia want to be more loving than she ever was, and she now viewed Topsy, “through the softened medium that Eva’s hand had first held before her eyes” (Stowe 443). Once this change occurs, Miss Ophelia then asks St. Clare for Topsy to be hers legally, and to “take her to the free states, and give her liberty” (Stowe 445). It is because of the power of Eva’s love that Ophelia was able to do this for Topsy. She had no interest in taking any of the slaves away from the …show more content…
Clare proves her father’s belief that only a whole community can attain a goal incorrect by simply being that one person to make the changes she sought after. She shows that one person can take action, and she proves this constantly by improving the lives of others. Ophelia is empowered by Eva’s love and gifts Topsy with a good education as well as allowing Topsy to travel to the free states with her. This gesture, in turn, empowers Topsy to end her evil ways and instead become a mature young child. Eva’s power of love also makes life for Dodo better by influencing Henrique to treat him as a regular person and love him, and it makes for the possibility of Uncle Tom getting his freedom. It is seen that Eva’s love consistently grants her the power to achieve many lofty
IAH 207; Section 09
September 19, 2014
TA: Garth Sabo
Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Power of Love
The novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, has a lot of representations of power. Power is, “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events” (“power”). Power can also be described as an ability to accomplish an objective. Along with power, Stowe’s novel also incorporates a theme of love. Love is, “a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection” (“love”). Love is also caring deeply about the well-being of others, and in turn being there to help them. Based on these definitions of power and love, Eva St. Clare is the strongest character in this novel that displays when these qualities …show more content…
Her aunt Ophelia cares for and teaches one of Augustine St. Clare’s servants, Topsy. Topsy is a very wicked child and gets into a lot of mischief, and Ophelia has a hard time educating Topsy. When Eva fell ill and her final days drew near, Ophelia was able to witness Eva’s love for all people, including Topsy. Once Eva passed, Ophelia has a reflection due to the loss of Eva and it causes her to then make changes in her actions. Eva cares about the well-being of everyone around her and all throughout Uncle Tom’s Cabin she shows and expresses her love for everyone. After Eva’s passing from illness Ophelia was, “more softened, more gentle; and, though equally assiduous in every duty, it was with a chastened and quiet air, as one who communed with her own heart not in vain. She was more diligent in teaching Topsy” (Stowe 443). Eva’s love for Topsy, and everyone made Ophelia want to be more loving than she ever was, and she now viewed Topsy, “through the softened medium that Eva’s hand had first held before her eyes” (Stowe 443). Once this change occurs, Miss Ophelia then asks St. Clare for Topsy to be hers legally, and to “take her to the free states, and give her liberty” (Stowe 445). It is because of the power of Eva’s love that Ophelia was able to do this for Topsy. She had no interest in taking any of the slaves away from the …show more content…
Clare proves her father’s belief that only a whole community can attain a goal incorrect by simply being that one person to make the changes she sought after. She shows that one person can take action, and she proves this constantly by improving the lives of others. Ophelia is empowered by Eva’s love and gifts Topsy with a good education as well as allowing Topsy to travel to the free states with her. This gesture, in turn, empowers Topsy to end her evil ways and instead become a mature young child. Eva’s power of love also makes life for Dodo better by influencing Henrique to treat him as a regular person and love him, and it makes for the possibility of Uncle Tom getting his freedom. It is seen that Eva’s love consistently grants her the power to achieve many lofty