Question

Which theme is most connected to the story of the Harris family? (Uncle Tom's Cabin)

Answer 1

The correct answer is true Christianity vs. false Christianity.

Indeed, the Shelbys actually consider themselves as good Christians and pride themselves in treating their slaves with kindness and consideration. However, when they experience financial hardship they decide to sell uncle Tom, the man who has nurtured and accompanied Arthur Shelby all his life to a ruthless slave trader. They also decide to sell Eliza’s only surviving son to pay for their debts.

Therefore they are not only being ungrateful and selfish with uncle Tom but callous and cruel with Eliza, yet they consider themselves “good Christians”. Then there is Tom Loker, who as a Southerner considers himself to be a Christian yet he ears his living by hunting down black human beings as animals. His false Christianity is made evident when he is sheltered and healed by the Quakers who not only help fugitive slaves to flee the country towards Canada but also behave humanely and compassionately toward him although he is responsible for the death and suffering of untold amounts of slaves.

During his convalescence he is able to realize the evil nature of his ways and actually becomes a real Christian by joining the railroad and helping runaway slaves escape to freedom; thereby, atoning for his past sins.