Miss Ophelia In Uncle Tom's Cabin

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Recommended: Uncle Tom's Cabin and comparison in describing slavery

Miss Ophelia in Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Stowe was one of the most complex characters in the novel. When we were introduced to her, we found out that she was from the North. During the time of slavery, those who lived in the north were expected to be against slavery in any way or form. This exact idea is what makes Miss Ophelia the complex character that she is because throughout the novel we witness Miss Ophelia’s internal struggle between what she beliefs and her behaviors. She believes that slavery is wrong and immoral but her behavior shows the prejudice she has against slaves. With external influences such as Eva, Miss Ophelia goes through an inspiring change and transforms into an astonishing abolitionist. There are many readers …show more content…

As mentioned before, Eva was close with the slaves her father owned. She has hugged them before and mostly of all loved them regardless of their skin color. She in her own way was an abolitionist, before she died she had her father promise her that Uncle Tom would be given the freedom he deserves to have. ““And promise me, dear father, that Tom shall have his freedom as soon as” – she stopped, and said, in a hesitating tone – “I am gone!”” (Stowe, P. 254) Even while she was dying, Eva cared for the slaves and wanted Tom to have his freedom. Eva being the abolitionist that she was, she influenced Miss Ophelia to a change within herself and be more like Eva. ““Well, She’s so loving! After all, though, she’s no more than Christ – like,” Said Miss Ophelia; “I wish I were like her. She might teach me a lesson.”” (Stowe, P. 259) Miss Ophelia admired Eva and as she called it “Christ-like” manner. She even wished she was more like her, and worked on become the abolitionist that Eva was. She was taught a lesson from Eva’s book on how to treat the slaves. After Eva died, Miss Ophelia began to take on the role of an abolitionist and take legal actions of making Topsy legally …show more content…

St. Clare had gotten for Miss Ophelia, so that she could educate her with manners and teach her to become a good Christian girl. In the process of trying to transform Topsy, was around the same time Miss Ophelia admits her prejudice against slaves and starts her transformation of character. Topsy did not have a mother to teach her manners or the Bible but Miss Ophelia took on the role and becomes a mother figure for Topsy. Even though at times Miss Ophelia wanted to give up on Topsy she did not with the help of Eva’s influence. After Miss Ophelia began her transformation into become an abolitionist, she began to take legal actions to make Topsy hers and protect her anyway she could. As much of an irony this is, she forced St. Clare to sign over Topsy to her. “I want her mine, that I may have a right to take her to the free states, and give her liberty, that all I am trying to do be not done.” (Stowe, p. 282) St. Clare signing Topsy to Miss Ophelia is an ironic thing she wanted to do because she was against slavery but that was the only way Miss Ophelia could protect Topsy from slavery. Having papers that solely said Topsy was hers, meant that she could take her to the north without being asked questions. Miss Ophelia is thinking about Topsy future and best interest as any mother would want for her children. “There is no use in my trying to make this child a Christian child, unless I save her from all the chances and reverses of slavery;” (Stowe,

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