Best Christian Book Ever: Uncle Tom's Cabin

Religion is one of the major themes in Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. Stowe juxtaposes the issue of slavery with the ideas presented in the Bible, which is regarded as the holy book for much of the Southern United States. Yet it is just isn't the Southern slaveholders who are denounced by Stowe, but also the attitude of the Northern free statesmen who have allowed the practice to continue in spite of its inhumane treatment of African-Americans.

Stowe's belief in the benefit of Christianity is mainly seen through two characters. Tom, for whom the book is titled, is a slave who suffers much the same fate as Jesus. He is described in length in chapter 4, as "a sort of patriarch in religious matters" and "was looked upon with great respect, as a sort of minister." The narrator then states that "it was in prayer that he especially excelled," and that "nothing could exceed the touching simplicity, the child-like earnestness of his prayer, enriched with the language of scripture."

He is forced to leave his family when his benevolent owner is forced to sell him. This separation does not shake Tom's faith. In chapter 5 He forgoes a chance to escape before the sale, not wishing to worsen his former owner's financial troubles. He says to his wife, "No, no- I ain't going. . . if I must be sold, or all of the people on then place, why, let me be sold . . . I s'pose I can b'ar it as well as any on 'em." Much as the Savior in Christianity, Tom is willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others.

His new master, named St. Clare, is even kinder than his former owner. While property of St. Clare, Tom's religious belief is strengthened when he meets Little Eva, the master's daughter. In chapter 22 the narrator says Eva's "whole heart and soul seemed absorbed in works of love and kindness" and "Generous she had always been." Stowe narrates many scenes where Eva reads the Bible to Tom, and he impresses her with his powerful ability of prayer.

The depiction of Eva as a perfect religious symbol culminates in chapter 25, which is titled "The Little Evangelist." It is in this chapter that Little Eva finally succumbs to the illness that has plagued her for most of her young life. Even her deathbed she ministers to all those she loves, which is everyone she has ever met. She makes her father promise to grant Tom his freedom when after her death, to which St. Clare readily agrees. Tom is so aggrieved at her impending demise that he cannot even contemplate the idea of his freedom.

Even after Eva passes away, Tom considers her before his personal freedom. However, his grief has turned to rapture, since he witnessed Eva's ascent to heaven. St. Clare, who was an atheist, saw the ascent as well, but he was more distraught over the loss of his daughter. As the girl lay smiling on her deathbed, he asked her what she saw. The, "A bright, a glorious smile passed over her face, and she said, brokenly, love - joy - peace! Gave one sigh, and passed from death unto life."

Tom would experience the same glory upon his death at the hands of a brutal master. St. Clare having been killed shortly after Eva, he had not yet fulfilled his promise of giving Tom his freedom. His widow Marie then has the slaves sold. Tom is bought by Simon Legree, a hideous, unmerciful slave owner. He repeatedly beats Tom, who keeps his Christian faith in spite of nearly fatal abuse. Even after Tom receives his deadly beating, he continues to espouse his belief in Heaven. In chapter 41 he says, "everywhar! - it's nothing but love! What a thing it is to be a Christian!" Then, like the book's other devout Christian, Eva, he passes away with a smile.

That the two most Christ-like characters pass into Heaven is not the remarkable facet of this book. Stowe shows her true Christian faith in her treatment of the non-Christians and the least likable characters who die in the book. St. Clare, Eva's kind but non-Christian father, dies while attempting to break up a fight in chapter 28. With Tom holding his hand, St. Clare prepares for his death. Stowe describes the scene vividly, saying that "Just before the spirit parted, he opened his eyes with a sudden light of joy. . . and then he was gone!"

Even the abusive tyrant Simon Legree, according to Stowe, makes it to Heaven. After years of excessive drinking and neglected health, Legree in chapter 42 had become infected with a fatal disease. Stowe describes his last minutes on earth, claiming that "at his dying bed, stood a stern, white, inexorable figure, saying, "Come! Come! Come!"

Stowe's portrayal of religion in Uncle Tom's Cabin is a loving one, as it should be. Readers expect of course that the two most loving characters, Eva and Tom, should pass into Heaven. Though a self-proclaimed atheist, St. Clare's kind treatment of his slaves leaves most readers happy that he too reached Heaven. The fact that Simon Legree, a murderer and rapist, passes into Heaven frustrates readers who expected Legree to be punished for his sins. Stowe's forgiveness of her fellow man, however, is the same one all Christians should share.