Miss Ophelia in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin
Being the only Northerner to take a focal role in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Miss Ophelia is a realistic adaptation of the ideal woman that Harriet Beecher Stowe proposes with the images of the other perfect women. She is educated, single, independent, ambitious, and motivated by a certain sense of duty. Unlike the other women in the novel, she is the one with the most masculine mannerisms: she relies on her thoughts rather than her emotions to make decisions about her life and political beliefs. However Miss Ophelia also appears to be the audience that Stowe is partially addressing -- those who feel like they know something about slavery, but who haven’t truly analyzed their own mind about their prejudices. This was one of the reasons why Stowe wrote her book: to connect with people who hadn’t yet decided what side of the Mason-Dixon line they fell on. Ophelia is the perfect example of either Northerners or Southerners who at first don’t have a strong opinion about slavery but after an encounter, experience, or a revelation finally find their voice. For Miss Ophelia, she discovers herself with the help of a little girl.
Little Eva attempts to explain to Ophelia about how they should love all and follow Jesus’ love for everyone. “Don’t you know that Jesus loves all alike? He is just as willing to love you, as me. He loves you just as I do, -only more, because he is better. He will help you to be good; and you can go to Heaven at last, and be an angel forever, just as much as if you were white. (p.245-6)” Even though Jesus loves both black and white folks, that can’t necessarily persuade Miss Ophelia to kiss and hug the slaves.
“’It puts me in mind of mother,’ he said to Ophelia. ‘It is true what she told me, if we want to give sight to the blind, we must be willing to do as Christ did, - call them to us, and put our hands on them.’
‘I’ve always had a prejudice against Negroes,’ said Miss Ophelia, ‘and it’s a fact, I never could bear to have that child touch me; but I didn’t think she knew it. (p. 246)”
Even though Miss Ophelia has people trying to persuade her to fully embrace the other race, for one reason or another she just can’t bring herself to do it. She believes that it is wrong because that is what she was raised to think. On the other hand, St. Clare is the polar opposite t...
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... the horrid souls to an afterlife in hell.
Feminism is an unmistakable theme in this novel. Stowe portrays women as strong, independent characters and gives all of them very effective roles. In the end, it is the women who are the most religious. When readers are first introduced to Miss Ophelia they encounter a Vermonter who has beliefs about slavery but no emotions to back up her words. For all of her duty and religious piety, she must have love, emotion and feeling to back up her words for them to be of any significance. Then through interaction with other characters in the book, Miss Ophelia’s morals and beliefs slowly begin to solidify. By the end of the book she is deeply rooted and emotionally connected to everything she says. This is exactly the type of reader that Stowe wished to reach. Someone who maybe wasn’t too sure on how they felt about paying money for someone’s life would hopefully, once finished with Uncle Tom’s Cabin, realize their own ideals and opinions about life for Negroes in the South and then try to do something to help them leave their lives of horror.
Works Cited
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. Uncle Tom’s Cabin. W.W. Norton & Co, Inc. New York, 1994
Harriet Beecher Stowe was born on June 14, 1811. Her father was Lyman Beecher, pastor of the Congregational Church in Harriet’s hometown of Litchfield, Connecticut. Harriet’s brother was Henry Ward Beecher who became pastor of Brooklyn’s Plymouth Church. The religious background of Harriet’s family and of New England taught Harriet several traits typical of a New Englander: theological insight, piety, and a desire to improve humanity (Columbia Electronic Library; “Biography of Harriet Beecher Stowe”).
Homeostasis, what is it? Homeostasis is the balance between systems to keep living organisms alive and healthy. For an organism to maintain homeostasis its body systems must react and respond to changes in both its internal and external environments. Majority of body systems in organisms, like a respiratory or circulatory system in animals, are part of their internal environment. One body system that is very important for maintaining homeostasis and is common among many organisms is a respiratory system. The respiratory system is responsible for disposing of carbon dioxide and in taking oxygen (vice versa for plants). Some parts that make up a respiratory system are the lungs, windpipe, and cilia in animals. Another body system important to homeostasis and common among animals is a circulatory system, used for bringing nutrients like glucose and oxygen to body cells. Some parts that make up a circulatory system are a heart, blood, and tubes for the blood to travel through (veins, arteries, and capillaries) in animals. There are many more body systems important to homeostasis, but if one is disrupted it’s vital for it to be restored to normal.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Olaudah Equiano’s Narrative of his Life both endeavor to stir antislavery sentiment in predominantly white, proslavery readers. Each author uses a variety of literary tactics to persuade audiences that slavery is inhumane. Equiano uses vivid imagery and inserts personal experience to appeal to audiences, believing that a first-hand account of the varying traumas slaves encounter would affect change. Stowe relies on emotional connection between the readers and characters in her novel. By forcing her audience to have empathy for characters, thus forcing readers to confront the harsh realities of slavery, Stowe has the more effective approach to encouraging abolitionist sentiment in white readers.
I never thought that I would read a book over the summer, but over the course of these past two months, that changed. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” forever changed how I view slavery. I loved reading it. Throughout the whole novel, Stowe uses her experience and knowledge to portray the terrible hardships and struggles that slaves endured everyday. Not only does this book express the thoughts of the slaves and their faith in God, but also of the people around them. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” wanted so badly for America to give freedom and equality for all people, and that is what I enjoyed most while reading.
Fortunately, there are creatures on the Earth still willing to teach Man about his roots, and at the same time save Man from his selfdestructive impulses. Enter Ishmael, a gorilla with a conscience. Yes, a gorilla. Caged and controlled by man, Ishmael developed a self-awareness of his situation and of man's. Realizing that his destiny is intertwined with man's, he decides to save man from himself. Placing an ad in the papers, Ishmael finds a willing if disillusioned student, and presents a course of education guaranteed to save the world. Makes one wonder if the sign in Ishmael's office reads true, "With gorilla gone, will man survive?"
The UCC was created with the purpose of bringing uniformity to the States in regards to commercial transactions. These regulations apply to commercial contracts that deal with the sale of goods. It does not apply to private and nonprofessional sales, property, services, or intangible goods. If the code
I think he accomplished many great things even though some of the things he hoped to discover didn’t go exactly the way he’d planned but that doesn’t mean he’s a failure. Even though he didn’t get to the places he wanted, he was courageous by actually going out to sea and wanting to go explore the rest of the world. Not many people would take such a risk but he was confident and adventurous about the things he was wishing to accomplish. Although I think Christopher Columbus was successful in a lot of things he did, I don’t think all of the things he did were good. Despite the fact that I think he was a successful man, I don’t think Columbus should be celebrated. I believe he should be condemned because the things he did weren’t that important to the United States of America. First, he didn’t actually discover America; there were other natives living there way before him. Secondly, some of the things he did to the natives were cruel and unacceptable. And thirdly, there were a lot more important people than Columbus that did greater things and they aren’t celebrated. I don’t think Columbus should have his own special day that we
Published in the early 1850’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin had a huge impact on our nation and contributed to the tension over slavery. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a woman who was involved in religious and feminist causes. Stowe’s influence on the northern states was remarkable. Her fictional novel about slave life of her current time has been thought to be one of the main things that led up to the Civil War. The purpose of writing it, as is often said, was to expose the evils of slavery to the North where many were unaware of just what went on in the rest of the country. The book was remarkably successful and sold 300,000 copies by the end of its first year. It is even rumored that upon President Lincoln’s meeting Stowe, Lincoln said, “So this is the little lady who made this big war.”
Uncle Toms Cabin gives a deeper understanding of the hardships of slavery in America and how these people were treated, in a country that was supposed to be of all men created equal. Though this book goes deeper than what is presented at face value, though racism is also a very large and important part of this story. Harriett Beecher Stowe reveals more in her novel than just the terrible acts of slavery, and what it was like to be stuck as a slave with no way out. In this story she gives two different perspectives in my opinion, one of tremendous sorrow, and struggle as we follow Tom throughout the story and feel and see the pain and hardships he must endure. And the other of Eliza who does a extremely courageous thing in trying to smuggle her son off the plantation in order to save her son from being sold to a coarse slave owner. Uncle Toms Cabin is a book that illustrates not only the need to end slavery and the incompatibility of slavery with the values of Christianity, but emotionalism, the importance of keeping ones faith, as well as women being viewed as equals.
Teeth whitening is an ever increasing procedure being requested by many patients. In this paper, I will be discussing the biological and chemical mechanisms of teeth whitening, the difference between in office and take home whitening, current products on the market, and current issues and safety concerns regarding teeth whitening. Knowledge of these topics is important to have to be able to safely recommend in office or at home whitening options.
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.
Columbus hurt so many people so I think he is a criminal, and criminals shouldn 't be celebrated. Even though his voyage was the beginning of Western civilization and America’s history, I still don 't think he is worthy enough to have a holiday. All the harm he has caused contradicts the few good things he has done. I believe the day should be celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Columbus did take part in those things, but it all wasn’t fully him and he doesn’t define those things. Other people have contributed to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States, but these people aren’t celebrated. I think there is people who have shaped this country into what it is and have done more for this country than Columbus that should be honored. I think Christopher Columbus Day shouldn’t be celebrated for the terrible things he did, also that what America has become wasn’t because of just
The illumination of the brutal treatment of the slaves, both physically and mentally, are also apparent in the works of Stowe and Jacobs. Stowe, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, uses the stories of Eliza, Harry, Uncle Tom and Cassy to show how slavery, with both cruel and kind masters, affects different members of the slave community. In Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Jacobs focuses her work on the how the institution is “terrible for men; but is far more terrible for women” (B:933), adding sexual abuse to the atrocities of slavery. Douglass’ Madison gives the reader a masculine perspective on the
The primary mechanism of homeostasis is negative feedback ( the response of a system that acts to maintain equilibrium by compensating for any changes made to the system) , in which stimulus resulting from a change in the external or internal e...
Gender stereotyping has been ongoing throughout history. The media has been distorting views by representing gender unrealistically and inaccurately. It created an image of what "masculinity" or "femininity" should be like and this leads to the image being "naturalized" in a way (Gail and Humez 2014). The media also attempts to shape their viewers into something ‘desirable’ to the norm. This essay will focus on the negative impacts of gender-related media stereotypes by looking at the pressures the media sets on both women and men, and also considering the impacts on children.