James Baldwin's critical commentary has a very negative view on Stowe's method in her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. He points out that each slave character is given some "white" quality that deems them socially aknowledegeable; that is except for Uncle Tom, who has no white qualities at all. Eliza is described as being partially white, and although her husband George is black he is given the ability to be an excellent mechanic, thus socially "humanizing" him. Baldwin argues that Stowe further demeans blacks by making the only true black character, Tom, illiterate and submissive.
Although Baldwin makes a good point in criticizing Stowe's writing on a deeper level, I believe that he altogether misses her intention. His point of view is limited as he is able to only understand slavery from today's views (or at least he is only acknowledging today's views) and not looking at it from where people in the 1800's would have. I believe Stowe was thinking very intelligently when she thought about her target audience in order to influence their views on slavery. Stowe had to be very clever when describing her negro characters to white society. By giving certain negores "white" qualities, she made it easier for readers to sympathize and relate with them. Also by tying religion into her novel she did not make "God and salvation become her personal property(535), however cleverly used it to bind all of 1800's humanity together.
In conclusion, I believe that Baldwin overlooks the true intentions behind Stowe's literary strategies, by allowing himself to be blinded by his current knowledge. To be fair, he does make excellent points, however, only in light of the social opinions of today. If Uncle Tom's Cabin was meant to become a "timeless" novel his critical analysis would be very relevant, however, it is a book of a time that has long passed.
Although Baldwin makes a good point in criticizing Stowe's writing on a deeper level, I believe that he altogether misses her intention. His point of view is limited as he is able to only understand slavery from today's views (or at least he is only acknowledging today's views) and not looking at it from where people in the 1800's would have. I believe Stowe was thinking very intelligently when she thought about her target audience in order to influence their views on slavery. Stowe had to be very clever when describing her negro characters to white society. By giving certain negores "white" qualities, she made it easier for readers to sympathize and relate with them. Also by tying religion into her novel she did not make "God and salvation become her personal property(535), however cleverly used it to bind all of 1800's humanity together.
In conclusion, I believe that Baldwin overlooks the true intentions behind Stowe's literary strategies, by allowing himself to be blinded by his current knowledge. To be fair, he does make excellent points, however, only in light of the social opinions of today. If Uncle Tom's Cabin was meant to become a "timeless" novel his critical analysis would be very relevant, however, it is a book of a time that has long passed.
It's interesting to consider how UTC is a product of a certain time, but also now a classic, and a touchstone for ongoing discussions of race in America.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point here. Stowe was writing UTC in a very different time when compared to today. It is easy for people today to read UTC and criticize it for not really showing "real black" slaves. If Stowe had characterized the slaves as individuals who are more representative of actual slaves the novel may not have affected social change like it did. Even if she did accomplish portraying black slaves honestly, today people would just criticize how an educated, wealthy, white woman couldn't actually know what it's like to be in a slaves position. Really no matter what Stowe would and is critiqued. But all great works are. It just means that UTC has become a classic and important contribution to our history and to understand why that is we need to dig deeper into her works. Regardless of any views of her works the novel was successful and accomplished what it was meant to.
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