Clearly both Uncle Toms Cabin and Beloved have a huge focus on how race has impacted American culture. Both novels are highly recognized, however, are very different in a couple of ways. A major difference regarding the two of these novels is who they were written by; Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a Caucasian woman. And Beloved by Toni Morrison, a African American woman. Apart from that, both novels were also written in very different time periods, in fact from Stowe's novel to Morrison's there is about a 135 year gap.
From this knowledge comes a very big question; who has more insight to the racial problems that had existed?
Many have criticized that Stowe didn't have any credibility when writing about slaves lives, as she was not black herself. It was thought that one could not simply understand anothers position by simply watching what was going on. However, Stowe does have an advantage over Morrison having lived in the time period that slavery existed.
However, while Morrison has the advantage of having claim to the African race, it can also be criticized that Morrison had no idea of the issues she aimed to address either, because she had not experienced nor observed them first hand.
So why have both these novels influenced our culture so much?
Both novels have become a clear part of American literature because they both understand the impact that slavery has had on America. While addressed in very different styles, both authors have come to understand that in order to understand a cultural issue, one must put themselves into the others shoes. Stowe is able to do so by being sympathetic towards her African American neighbors. As discussed in class, we realize that by being sympathetic to even a situation you may not know much about, you are able to better understand how one is feeling about their situation, thus taking on their burden.
Morrison is also sympathetic, however is more entitled. Because Morrison has black ancestry she is able to relate to the oppressed through a historical background.
While both authors are equitable in their attempts to relate to historical slavery, both authors also have very different intents in how they portray their understanding.
Stowe has an obvious purpose of humanizing slaves to her early American culture through her style of sentiment, whereas Morrison's intent is much more ambiguous, however, ultimately it is realized that the whole novel aims to portray the deep scars that slavery has had on America, as well as the author herself, as her ancestors were the ones who had endured this horrific past.
Ultimately, no matter the intent or the amount of relatability the authors hold, both novels act powerfully today. It is often said that history is important for the lessons it holds, and I believe this to be true. I believe that both authors have given Americans huge insight as to what consequences slavery has, as well as embody the message that all men are created equal, and should be treated as so.
From this knowledge comes a very big question; who has more insight to the racial problems that had existed?
Many have criticized that Stowe didn't have any credibility when writing about slaves lives, as she was not black herself. It was thought that one could not simply understand anothers position by simply watching what was going on. However, Stowe does have an advantage over Morrison having lived in the time period that slavery existed.
However, while Morrison has the advantage of having claim to the African race, it can also be criticized that Morrison had no idea of the issues she aimed to address either, because she had not experienced nor observed them first hand.
So why have both these novels influenced our culture so much?
Both novels have become a clear part of American literature because they both understand the impact that slavery has had on America. While addressed in very different styles, both authors have come to understand that in order to understand a cultural issue, one must put themselves into the others shoes. Stowe is able to do so by being sympathetic towards her African American neighbors. As discussed in class, we realize that by being sympathetic to even a situation you may not know much about, you are able to better understand how one is feeling about their situation, thus taking on their burden.
Morrison is also sympathetic, however is more entitled. Because Morrison has black ancestry she is able to relate to the oppressed through a historical background.
While both authors are equitable in their attempts to relate to historical slavery, both authors also have very different intents in how they portray their understanding.
Stowe has an obvious purpose of humanizing slaves to her early American culture through her style of sentiment, whereas Morrison's intent is much more ambiguous, however, ultimately it is realized that the whole novel aims to portray the deep scars that slavery has had on America, as well as the author herself, as her ancestors were the ones who had endured this horrific past.
Ultimately, no matter the intent or the amount of relatability the authors hold, both novels act powerfully today. It is often said that history is important for the lessons it holds, and I believe this to be true. I believe that both authors have given Americans huge insight as to what consequences slavery has, as well as embody the message that all men are created equal, and should be treated as so.
I agree that both novels have a powerful impact. By reading both of them you get both points of view. By having two different perspectives on the subject of slavery, we are not left with a single story and can try to piece together the whole story picture and understand different parts of slavery that were maybe left out of the other.
ReplyDeleteYou make many thoughtful comparisons here--how do you think these novels work together to present a fuller picture of slavery in American society?
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