“So you´re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war“ (Raabe 216)! With these words Abraham Lincoln is said to have greeted Harriet Beecher Stowe when she visited the white House in 1863. Without doubt, Uncle Tom´s Cabin, Stowe´s first antislavery novel, was one of the most controversial books when it was published in 1851/52. Although it certainly can´t be seen as the true reason for the Civil War that started in 1861, it nevertheless put the debate on slavery more strongly in the center of public attention.
This paper deals with this highly controversial book. First, the context of the writing as well as the publishing of Uncle Tom´s Cabin will be presented, and its sources will be outlined. For a better understanding of the circumstances, some biographical pieces of information about the author will be given beforehand. The next section will focus on the several stage adaptations of Uncle Tom´s Cabin, the one by George L. Aiken will already be treated in more detail. The mixed reactions towards Stowe´s novel in general will be delineated, too. After giving a summary of the content of Uncle Tom´s Cabin to establish the basis for a further analysis, the main part of this paper will deal with the comparison of the novel with Aiken´s most popular stage adaptation. Similarities as well as differences will be presented as far as the structure, the characters and the themes are concerned. This paper will try to show that Aiken´s version of Uncle Tom´s Cabin comes very close to Stowe´s novel, but that he incorporated his own ideas as well to partly produce other effects, too.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- The Writing and Publishing of Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Sources of Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Adaptations of the Novel
- George Aiken's Version of Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Critique of Uncle Tom's Cabin
- The North
- The South
- Anti-Uncle Tom Literature
- Content of Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Comparison of Stowe's Novel and Aiken's Drama
- Structure and Plot
- Characters
- Characters Left Out by Aiken
- Characters Added by Aiken
- Characters in Both the Novel and the Drama
- Themes
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, a pivotal work in the antebellum American context. It explores the genesis of the novel, its reception by both North and South, and its subsequent adaptations for the stage, particularly by George L. Aiken. The paper aims to demonstrate the influence of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* on the public discourse surrounding slavery and its impact on the cultural landscape of the time.
- The influence of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* on the debate surrounding slavery
- The impact of the novel on public opinion and its role in shaping cultural attitudes
- The differences and similarities between the novel and its stage adaptation by Aiken
- The literary sources and influences that contributed to the creation of *Uncle Tom's Cabin*
- The critique of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* from both Northern and Southern perspectives
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the scene by highlighting the enduring legacy of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* and its connection to the outbreak of the Civil War. It provides context by discussing the novel's publication and its impact on the public discourse surrounding slavery.
The subsequent chapter delves into the life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, focusing on her upbringing, education, and experiences that shaped her views on slavery. It explores her early writing and her motivations for producing *Uncle Tom's Cabin*.
The third chapter examines the writing process and publication of *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, highlighting the social and political climate that influenced its creation. It discusses the immediate impact of the novel and its reception by both the public and critics.
The fourth chapter explores the sources that inspired Stowe's work, identifying the various literary, historical, and personal experiences that informed her narrative. It also delves into the adaptation process of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* for the stage.
Chapter five analyzes the diverse reactions to *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, examining both the critical acclaim and the condemnation it received from different social and political groups in both the North and the South.
Chapter six provides a comprehensive summary of the content of *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, outlining the key plot points, characters, and themes of the novel. It aims to establish a foundation for the comparative analysis presented in subsequent chapters.
Chapter seven delves into a comparative analysis of Stowe's novel and Aiken's stage adaptation, focusing on the similarities and differences between the two works. It examines the structure, characters, and thematic elements, highlighting the unique aspects of each adaptation.
The conclusion summarizes the findings of the paper, emphasizing the significance of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* as a pivotal work of American literature. It highlights the enduring impact of the novel and its continued relevance to contemporary discussions about race, social justice, and cultural representation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts of this work include *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, Harriet Beecher Stowe, George L. Aiken, antebellum America, slavery, abolitionism, literature, stage adaptation, cultural impact, public opinion, social change, and historical context. These themes represent the core focus of the paper, allowing for a deeper exploration of the novel's impact on American society and its enduring legacy in literary history.
- Citar trabajo
- Alexandra Griesing (Autor), 2009, Harriet Beecher Stowe´s Uncle Tom´s Cabin: The Creation and influence of a masterpiece, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/197323
