Critical Approaches To "Uncle Tom's Cabin" By Estephanie C.

Uncle Tom's Cabin, the play, was about a slave (Uncle Tom) who is depicted as a good man with a big heart. Even through his trials, he still showed everyone kindness. Tom was promised his freedom, but he never received it, and died. I had originally read Uncle Tom's Cabin, the play and was fascinated by the history behind it. I was curious to discover how the inspiration of this story came to fruition.

• [Critical Race Theory] - In Uncle Tom's Cabin, you can see how race, poverty, and civil rights move the story along. I feel that the way African American people are portrayed in the book and play caused a very big impact in abolishing slavery. Because the play and book make Uncle Tom (the slave) the protagonist, it affected the view people had on slavery. Also seeing the way African Americans' lived during this time (poverty and terrible living conditions), it also affected the way people connected with the story.
•  [Feminism] - In Uncle Tom's Cabin there are a lot of strong women. They are powerful, but still maintain "traditional" gender roles. For example, a character that does this is Mrs. Shelby. She is a strong woman that is fighting against slavery, but still does many things that are considered "traditional" for a woman living during that time. 
• [Biographical Theory] - Uncle Tom's Cabin was written by a white woman who was an abolitionist. She was alive during the time slavery was still being heavily used. She remembers when she was younger how her family employed an African American woman. This made me think about how this could have impacted the view of how  the story is portrayed. It also made me wonder whether her race affected the selling of the book, and who purchased it. 
• [Christian Criticism] - In Uncle Tom's Cabin, there are several instances in the book and play that eludes to Christian beliefs.  I remember when Uncle Tom tried to get the Prue to become a Christian. I also remember, while reading the play, there was a scene where Uncle Tom is with Eva in Heaven. I feel like these little snippets created an impact on the reader/audience. 
• [Psychological] - The story, Uncle Tom's Cabin was written to persuade others that slavery should be abolished. The author, Harriet B. Stowe used Christianity and her personal views to write this story to create an impact in the way people viewed slavery. How she portrays certain characters can manipulate the mind and cause you to view things in a different perspective, which is what Harriet B. Stowe was trying to do. She wanted to show how terrible slavery is.