Analysis Of Uncle Tom s Cabin - 1028 Words

As we read Uncle Tom’s Cabin it becomes very apparent that there are some obvious clashing values. Christianity and Slavery seem like two polar extremes, however both are demonstrated values in which the Shelby’s hold dear to. This brings us to the question we start asking ourselves; Is it possible to be a good person and a slave owner? First we really need to define what a â€Å"good person† is. We tend to think Christians are good people and have strong moral values. The reason we associate Christianity with being a morally well rounded person, is because of what Christians really stand for. So what makes a Christian? The answer can be generalized as someone who has faith in God, who prays and repents for their sins, who has an urge and†¦show more content†¦Since the Shelby’s claim to be Christians and own slaves, does this mean that the Shelby’s are good people and does this make slavery okay? The answer is no. This is indeed hypocrisy at its finest. The fact that these people can tolerate owning another human being, renders them not only as hypocrites, but also morally weak. Slaves still suffer, even when they are under the ownership of kind hearted masters. We see this when finances are rough with Shelby, who ends up guiltily ruining Tom’s family by selling off Tom. If we u nderstand what love is, and then try to understand what it really is to enslave someone from their freedom, you have to say that those two cannot coexist. You either are a good loving person who would never even entertain the thought of enslaving another human being, or you’re an evil person who has no moral identity. The two are not only incompatible, but are two fighting opposites. A true good christian would use their christian beliefs to fight slavery. Slavery is evil in the â€Å"best† of situations, just as it is evil in the most cruel and torturous situations. Augustine St. Clare is aware of the blaring contradiction that is being a Christian and a slave owner, yet he tries to avoid the issue altogether. However, unlike the Shelbys, Mr. St. Clare does not identify as a Christian because of this reason. Following his mother’s death, St. Clare finds himself amidst emotional, and even ethical, turmoil. He