character-analysis-in-uncle-toms-cabin-《汤姆叔叔的小屋》中主要人物的浅析论文

《汤姆叔叔的小屋》中主要人物的浅析[Abstract]TheBibleinfluenceswesternlifeandculturedeeply.Mrs.Stowe(1811—1896)theauthorofNovelUncleTom’sCabinisalsoinfluencedbyit.OnthebasisofBible,theauthorattemptstoanalyzethebackgroundsoftimesandthepurposesshecomposesit,andanalyzeseveralcharacters,suchasUncleTom,LittleEva,Elizaandsomepiouschristianmothers.WiththeanalysisofthesepersonsandthecomparisonwiththecharactersinBibletorevealthechristianityinthisnovel.Atlast,theauthorexploresMrs.Stowe’ssolutiontoinstitutionofslaveryandtheresults.However,inhertimes,hernon—resistantpolicytotoppletheslaveryfailscompletely.

[Keywords]Bible;christianity;personalcharacter

[摘要]《圣经》对西方生活及文化的影响至深，《汤姆叔叔的小屋》的作者斯陀夫人也深受其影响。本文以《圣经》原形以及基督教义精神为基础，先试图分析斯陀夫人所处的时代背景及她创作这部小说的意图，再分析小说中的几类人物形象，如汤姆叔叔、小伊娃、及几位虔诚的基督教徒母亲。通过对这些人物特点的分析,以及所表现的基督精神，揭示这部小说中强烈的宗教理念。

[关键词]圣经;基督教;人物特点

1Introduction

1.1Background

GreekcultureandHebrewculturehavegreatinfluenceonwesternculture.InHebrewculture,thereisabooknamedBible,whichisanimportantliteracyworkintheworld.Itisdividedintotwoparts:theOldTestamentandtheNewTestament.ItincludestheessenceofHebrewculture.Duringtheeleventhcentury,Hebrewpeoplebecomeprosperousanddominatedalargearea.Atthesame,theyspreadtheirculture,soChristianitybecomesapowerfulandinfluentialreligionduring.ManyfamousartistsandwritersadaptedthestoriesinBibletocomposetheimmortalworks.

HarrietBeecherStowe(18111896),anineteenthcenturyAmericanfemalewriter,wasalsoinfluencedbythebook.Stowewasbornintoarespectablefamilythatwastobecomefamous:herfatherLymanwasaclergymanwhowasfamousforsupportingabolitionism,andeverheldthepostofdirectorofLaneSeminary,Cincinnati,Ohio.HerhusbandCalvinEllisStowewasoneoftheleadingprofessorsintheseminary.Twoofherbrothers,HenryWardandEdward,werecelebratedpreachers.Andheroldersister—Catherine,sheisthepioneerinWomen’seducation.Thefamilywereallopposingtoraisingslavesandtheywereallfamousabolitionists

ComingfromafamilywithgoodChristiantradition,shewasdeeplyinfluencedbyChristianityandbecameapiousChristian.Asherfamilywereallopposingtoraisingslaves,shewasinfluencedbythemandheldtheanti-slaverybelief.Shestoodupforthebeliefthatslaveryshouldbeabolished.Mrs.Stowebelievedandlovedreligionandpaysattentiontotheproblemsofsocietyandmorality.InfluencedbyChristianity,sheheldthebeliefthateachmanisborntobeequalandshouldenjoyfreedom,soshewasstronglyagainstslavery,whichbetrayedtheideasinChristianity.InChristianity,peopleareequalinsoulandshouldenjoyfreedom.Sheoftentriedtodosomethingaboutchangingtheconditionsofslaves.Tolearnmoredetailsaboutslavery,sheevenwenttotheSouthtoseethemiserableconditionsofslaveswithherowneyes.Especiallywhentheenactmentofthe“FugitiveSlaveAct”(Thatallowedownerstopursueandrecovertheir“property”infreestates)in1850.Mrs.Stowewasinfuriatedandinfluencedbytheinnumerableanti-slaveryeventsandpersons.InfluencedbytheideainChristianitythatpeopleareequalinsoulandshouldenjoyfreedomandthebeliefthatslaveryshouldbeabolished,shedecidedtocomposeanoveltolashtheslavery.TheblendingofpiousbeliefinChristianityandabolishingslaveryresultedinUncleTom’sCabin.

1.2Thesummaryofnovel

TomwasaslaveofMr.ShelbywhowasaslaveholderinKentucky,hesincerelybelievedinChristianity.OnceMr.Shelbywasencumberedbydebt,hedecidedtosellTomandanotherfemaleslaveandherson.Knowingthenews,ElizaandhersonranawayimmediatelybutTomwouldstaytobesoldtoHaley－aslaver.Asaresult,hewassoldtoNewOrleansbyHaley.

OnboardtheboatboundforNewOrleans,TomsavedthelifeofyoungEva.St.Clare,Eva’sfather,purchasedTomwithgratitude.InSt.Clare’shome,Tomlivedahappylifefortwoyears.Evaandhebecamegoodfriends.ButafterEvaandherfather’sdeath,Tom’sfatewaschangedagain.HewassentbyEva’smothertoanauctionmarkettosell.TomwasboughtbyaslaveholdernamedLegree.Legreewascrueltoslavesandaddictedtoalcohol.Atlast,whenTomprotectedtwofemaleslavesfrombeingcaptured,hewasbeatentodeathviciouslybyLegree.Whenhewasdying,hisformermaster’sson－GeorgeShelbygottheplantationandboughtTom’sbodywithhugewealth.

Atthesametime,Elizaandhersonmetherhusband－GeorgeHarris,whodisguisedhimselfasaSpaniardandbroughtagunwithhimself.HeshotaslaveronhiswaytoCanada.Atlast,heandhisfamilygottogetherintheCanadaafreecountry.

2.CharacterAnalysis

Mrs.Stoweportraysseveralvividcharacterswithdistinctivetemperament.Amongthem,therearethewhiteandtheblack,thenoblesandtheslaves,thekindandthecruel.Inherdescriptionofallthesecharacters,wecanlearnthatMrs.Stoweadvocatesthatpeopleareequalandisagainstracialdiscrimination.SomepeoplethinkthatthedarkskinofAfricanslavesexternallyrepresentsnegativequalitiessuchasevilorheathenism.However,Mrs.Stoweviewedslavesthatevokethesepresumptionsactuallycontraststheirinternalstrengthandspirituality.Infact,blackmenarebetterthansomewhiteslaveholderswhohaveintentionalpurposes.

Mrs.StoweherselfisdeeplyinfluencedbyChristianity;sheheldthebeliefthatpeopleareborntobeequalandshouldenjoyfreedom.SothemaincharacterssheportrayedinUncleTom’sCabinareallChristianstodifferentextent.ThispartofthepaperdealswiththeanalysisofperfectChristian,non-perfectChristianandhalf-ChristianinUncleTom’sCabin.Fromtheanalysis,wecangetabetterideaonhowChristianityisreflectedinthenovel.

2.1Tom

UncleTomisanoldslaveandtheprotagonistofthenovel.Histwomostprevalentqualitiesarehisinherentgoodnessandpiety.HeisapiousChristianandresemblesJesusinmanyaspects.HeconsistentlyforgivesthewrongscommittedagainsthimandturnstoGodintimeofcrisis.

Mrs.StoweisverysuccessfulinportrayingTomasaChristianfigure.Let’scompareTomtoJesusinBible.

Tom’sexperienceisquitesimilartothatofJesusChrist.First,TomandJesusareallsoldbythemantheyarefamiliarwith.Jesusisbetrayedbyhisdisciple－Judas，whohasthegreedforthemoney;andTomissoldbyhismaster－ArthurShelby,whoalsoneedsmoneytorepaydebtswhenhesuffersthefinancialdifficulties.Second,bothTomandJesushavestrongfaithinGodandnevergiveupunderpressure.WhenJesusisnearhisdeath,thesoldiersareallspeakingsarcasticallyandcryingtohim,theyshouted,“Hail,kingoftheJesus!”Andstruckhimontheface,however,theGovernorwouldnotarrestJesus,buthehasnochoicebuttohaveJesuscrucified.WhenJesusknowshewilldie,hedoesnotcomplainonlytopraytotheGod.Tomisinthesimilarsituation,AtLegree’smanor,Tomisnotwillingtosellouthisfriends,sohemeetsthebrutaltreatment.HedosenotgiveupandcontinuespreachingtoQimboandSambo.Hesaid,“IntothyhandsIcommendmyspirit!Thouhastredeemedme,OhLordGodoftruth!”EvenifQimboandSambobeatTomalmosttodeath,hestillforgavethemandprayedforthem.Tom’prayerisansweredandhiskindheartednessmovesLegree’stwooverseersQimboandSamboandtheywouldnotwanttohurtTomanymore,butLegreewillnotbesatisfieduntilheseesTom’sdeath.AlthoughTomwasbeatenalmosttodeath,hedeterminedtosaynothing.WhenthunderedLegreestruckhimfuriously,Tomanswered,“Iknow,Mas’t,butIcan’ttellanything.Icandie!”However,Legreecouldn’tunderstandhim.ThenTomlookeduptohismaster,andanswered,“Mas’r,ifyouwassick,orintrouble,ordying,andIcouldsaveye,I’dgiveyemyheart’sblood;and,iftakingeverysoul,I’dgive’emfreely,astheLordgavehisforme.O,Mas’r!don’tbringthisgreatsinonyoursoul!Itwillhurtyoumorethan‘twillme!Dotheworstyoucan,mytroubles’llbeoversoon;but,ifyedon’trepent,yourswon’tneverend!”Atlast,onewhobelievesJesusisMessiahandissavedattheverymomentandspot.Third,TomandJesusareallredeemedbythepersonwhoesteemsthem.JosephofArimathaea,asecretapostleofhim,redeemsJesus.HetookthebodyofJesusandwrappedit,withthespices,instripsoflinenclothaccordingtoJewishburial—customs.Tomisrescuedbyhisformermaster’ssonGeorgeShelby.HelovesTomforhisfaith,sohevowstofindTomwhenheissold.However,whenhefoundTom,Tomwasdyinganddiedsoon.BearinggreatrespectandsadnessforTom,GeorgetookTom’sbodyawayanddecidedtoburyitdecently.Moreimportant,Tom’stemperamentisquitethesameasJesus.WhenJesusseespeoplewhosin,hepitiesthem,helpsthem,tellsthemandcuresthem.Hisheartcanforgiveanyone,anything.Hebringsthegospeltopeople.TomisobviouslyaChristfigurewithblackskin.Heisfullofloveforhisneighbors,boththeblackandwhite.HealsoservesasaChristianleaderfortheotherslaversinthenovel.InShelby’shouse,UncleTomisasortofpatriarchinreligiousmattersintheneighborhood.Having,naturally,anorganizationinwhichthemoraleisstronglypredominant,togetherwithagreaterbreadthandcultivationofmindthanhiscompanions,heislookedup,asasortofministeramongthem;andthesimple,hearty,sincerestyleofhisexhortationsmighthaveedifiedevenbettereducatedpersons.Butitwasinprayerthatheespeciallyexcelled.InthelanguageofapiousoldNegro,he“prayedrightup.”WhileheisatSt.Clare’shouse,hemeetsthepitiful,oldslavePrue.Prueshouldspendallhertimestocarehermistressandshelovesthemilk,buthermistressrefusestobuymilkforher,soheronlychildisstarvedtodeath.Becauseofthat,shebecomesdrunkandderanged.Tomsympathizeswithherverymuchofferstocarryherbasketforher,andsendtheGospeltoher.Heisalwaysgivingothersthebeliefoflife.Hesaystoher,“O,yepoorcritter!Hadn’tnobodynevertelledyehowtheLordJesuslovedye,anddiedforye?Han’ttheytelledyethathe’llye,andyecangotoheaven,andhaverest,atlast?”

Tomlovesnotonlyblackpeople,butalsowhitepeople.Whenhisfirstmasterisgoingtosellhim,hehasnocomplainonit.Afterhestaysatthesecondmaster’shome,heoftenadvisesSt.Clarenottogotothesecelebratingparties.InordertoletSt.Clarehavethewordsinmind,Tomevengoesdownonhiskneesandpleadswithhimnottoattendthoserevelries.HequotesasentencefromtheBible“itbitethlikeaserpentandstingethlikeanadder!”[8]P1topersuadeSt.Clare.Whenheisonhisdeathbed,hesaystoGeorgeShelby,“Yedon’tknow!PearslikeIloves’emall!Iloveseverycreatur,everywhar!it’snothingbutlove!O,Mas’rGeorge!Whatathing’tistobeaChristian!”[9]P433And“who,who,whoshallseparateusfromtheloveofChrist?”[10]P434Fromtheabove,wecanconcludethatTom,likeJesus,istheembodimentofGodandloveinChristianity.

LikeJesus,Tomoftenforgivesothers,nomatterthemanwhotreatshimkindorcruel.Tomforgiveshisfirstmaster,hesays,“Mas’ralwaysfoundmeonthespothealwayswill.”[11]P39WhenheisfloggedbyLegree.Hesays,“Yepoormiserablecritter!Therean’tnomoreyecando!Iforgiveye,withallmysoul!”[12]P428Jesusforgivesthemenwhobetrayedhim,hethinkstheyareinnocentpeopleandaskstheGodwouldnotsenddowncalamitiestothem.

ThoughTomissubmissivetohismaster,hehastheconsciousnesstodefinetherightandwrong.Ifthemastertreatshimkindly,hewillpaymorereciprocationtohismaster.HisfirstmasterMrs.Shelbygiveshimallhispropertytomanage.HeonceletsTomtogotoCincinnatialonetodobusinessforhim.Tomhastheopportunitytorunaway.Instead,hecomesbackontime.Hedoesnotwanttobetrayhismaster,andhesays,“Ah,mastertrustedme,andIcouldn’t.”[13]P2Tom’ssecondmasterSt.Claregiveshimmoneywithoutlookingatit,becausehetrustsTomverymuch.“Tomhadeveryfacilityandtemptationtodishonesty;andnothingbutanimpregnablesimplicityofnature,strengthenedbyChristianfaith,couldhavekepthimfromit.But,tothatnature,theveryunboundedtrustreposedinhimwasbondandsealforthemostscrupulousaccuracy.”[14]P208EvenTom’sthirdmasterLegreealsogiveshimhispropertytokeep.However,oncehismasterdoesthethinghethinkswrong,hewilldoitathisownwill.LegreeasksTomtobeatotherslaves,butTomdoesnotdoit.Hesays,“I’mwillintowork,nightanddayand,Mas’r,Inevershalldoit,never!”[15]P369Hisworshipisnotblindinthatheonlyobeyswhathethinksright.FromlearningtoreadtheBibleandwritingletterstohiskids,Tomisconsistentlytryingtoimprovehimselfdespitethelimitsplaceduponhimbyslavery.

Fromtheaboveparagraph,wecanconcludethat,Tomisloyalandsubmissivetohismasterandatthesametimehehasagooddistinctionbetweenwhatisrightandwhatiswrong.

Mrs.StowehasherintentiontodepictTomasaChrist—figure.HermostobviouspurposeistoevokethewhitemenwhobelieveinChristianityinthenorth,toletthemhavethepositiontosupportanti—slaveryactionsandtohopethemtorealizetheeviltokeepslaverysysteminaChristiancountry.Sheneedstocomposeacharacterofblackmanwhocanbeacceptedbymostwhites[16].SosheendorsesTomalotofcharacterssimilartoChrist.Tomisthemanwhocanarousethesympathyfromthewhite.

WeallthinkTomisamanwithgoodqualitiesandimmaculatecharacter.HeisastereotypewithtypicalAfricanfeaturesanddispositionofthatrace,yetTomhasthepassivecharacterinhislife.Hisnon-resistantprincipleisnotacceptedbythewhitereaders,buthisuprightqualityisnotseparatedfromhisfirmbeliefandpersonalstrength.Inaword,Tomistherepresentativeofakindofpersonratherthanasingleman.Whateverhappens,hestickstohisbeliefinChristianityandtriedtohelpotherstochangebypersuasion.Mrs.StoweportrayedsuchacharacterasTombecausesheherselfbelievesinChristianityandwasgreatlyinfluencedbyChristianityandbelievesinthekindnessinhumanbeings.

2.2LittleEva

Thefive-yearold“LitterEva”ischaracterizedasabeautiful,angelicchild.Itisafemalecharacterthatcan’tbeignored.Eva’snameis“EvangelineSt.Clare”;“Evangeline”symbolstheidealimageofanangel.InBible,angelissentbyGodtohelpandsavethosewhoneeded.ThelittleEvaisfullofloveandfriendlinesstoothers.Shetriestodoherbittohelpothers.Inthisway,sheisjustlikeanangelsentbyGod.Somehowshealwaystriestoputherselfonequalitywitheverycreaturethatcomesnearher.Tomandherbecomebestfriends,andtheyarebondedbythecommonlovetheyhaveforthosearoundthem.Onceherfatherasksherwhetheritisbettertoliveinhergrandpa,VermontortohaveahousefullofservantHerreasonistohavesomanymoreroundyoutolove.Shechoosesthelatter.ThereasonsheasksherfathertobuyTomisalsotomakeTomhappy.WhenTomtellsthePrune’sstorytoEva,“Shedidnotclaim,orwonder,orweep,asotherchildrenwoulddo.Hercheeksgrewpale,andadeep,earnestshadowpassedoverhereyes.Shelaidbothhandsonherbosom,andsighedheavily.”[17]P222Evahasmanypuzzlingproblems,suchaswhytheblackmenwouldbeslaves,whyTomwouldbeseparatedfromhiswifeandchildren,whyPruewouldbedead,whyTopsyissodislikedbyothers.Shehopesthatthepeoplearoundherareallhappy.Justashername“Evangeline”suggests,sheisanevangelisttoeveryone.SheoftenlistenstothestoriesfromBibletoldbyTom.ShesharestheGospelwiththeslavesinherfather’splantationandhelpsthemtolearnknowledgeandgivesthemhope.Unfortunately,shedoesnotlivealonglife.Towardsherdeath,shegiveseveryslaveservantinherhousealockoffairgoldenhairandaskstheslavestobegoodChristians;shealsohasherfatherpromisedthathewouldletthemfree.

Mrs.StoweshowstheideaoftryingherbesttochangethesocietyforthebetterandsavepeoplewithChristianspiritandactions.ShehopestospreadtheuniversalloveinChristianitybyEva.[18]ThoughEvadiesatayoungage,herdeathisnotsad.ThereasonisthatforMrs.Stowe,whobelievesinChristianityfromherchildhood,deathisabetterreflectionofheroism.Andforher,deathstandsforvictoryratherthanfailure.ThedeathofEvaisthesameofJesu’sdeath.Mrs.StowehopestosavesoulsoftheevilbyEva’sdeath.Eva’sdeathchangedTopsy.WecanlearnfromthenovelthatTopsyisoriginallyonewithoutlovefromhismotherandrefusestodoasheistold.ItisEvathatchangedhimforthebetter.WecanseethisfromthefollowingdialoguebetweenEvaandTopsy.

“Topsy.MissOpheliawouldloveyou,ifyouweregood.”

Topsygavetheshort,bluntlaughthatwashercommonmodeofexpressingincredulity.

“Don’tyouthinkso?”saidEva.

“No;shecan’tbarme,’causeI’manigger!－she’dsoonhaveatoadtouchher!Therecan’tnobodyloveniggers,andniggerscan’donothin’!Idon’tcare,”saidTopsy,beginningtowhiltle.

“O,Topsy,poorchild,Iloveyou!”saidEva,withasuddenburstoffeeling,andlayingherlittlethin,whitehandonTopsy’sshoulder;“Iloveyou,becauseyouhaven’thadanyfather,ormother,orfriends;－becauseyou’vebeenapoor,abusedchild!IloveyouandIwantyoutobegood.Iamveryunwell,Topsy,andIthinkIshan’tliveagreatwhile;anditreallygrievesme,tohaveyoubesonaughty.Iwishyouwouldtrytobegood,formysake;－it’sonlyalittlewhileIshallbewithyou.”

Theround,keeneyesoftheblackchildwereovercastwithtears;－large,brightdropsrolledheavilydown,onebyone,andfellonthelittlewhitehand.Yes,inthatmoment,arayofrealbelief,arayofheavenlylove,hadpenetratedthedarknessofherheathensoul!Shelaidherheaddownbetweenherknees,andweptandsobbed,－whilethebeautifulchild,bendingoverher,lookedlikethepictureofsomebrightangelstoopingtoreclaimasinner.[19]P289

ItisEva’swordsthatmakesTopsymakesuphismindtoserveasamissionaryinAfricawherehispeoplelive.OpheliaalsothinkshighlyofEva’suniversallove.Wecanlearnthisfromwhatshesaid:“Well,she’ssoloving!Afterall,though,she’snomorethanChrist-like,”saidMissOphelia;“IwishIwerelikeher.Shemightteachmealesson.”[20]P294

ThedescriptionoflittleEvainthenovelissimilartotheseven-yearoldblondlittlegirldescribedinthepreachinEnglandandIrelandgivenbyclergymanDwightLymanMoody.ThepreachnamedLittleChildAngeldescribesaseven-yearoldblondgirl,whoisthesourceofhappiness.Herfatherisproudofher.Shecomesupinherfather’sdreamafterherdeath.Sheadmonishesandsavesherfatherintheheaven.Thestorytellsusthatachildcansaveothersbydevotingherlife.Shegetsspiritualpowerthatshecan’tgetfrompeoplesheloves.ThespiritualpowershegetsafterdeathandtheholyandpureborntohermakesEvaanangelthatsavestheworld.Thesubjectonangelwhosavestheworldisamainsubjectinthereligiouscultureofthenineteenthcentury.Becauseoftheintenselyreligiousconsciousness,Mrs.StoweendowslitterEvaheavyreligionmissionasanangel.Tosomeextent,thecharacterofEvalosesabitofauthenticity.Asamatteroffact,Mrs.Stowewantstocallonpeopletodoasormorethanthechilddoes.

2.3IdealMothersMrs.Shelby,St.Clare’smother,Legree’smother

MariainBiblegivesusanimpressionofagreatmotherwhoisfulloflove.ShesupportsandunderstandsJesuswhateverhappens.Sheisalsotolerantofallherchildren.AlthoughherchildrenbesidesJesusmademanymistakes,shestillforgivesthemandbelievesthem.Inheropinion,motherscannevergiveuptheirchildren.

Mrs.Stowetakeshernovelasakindof“tool”torealizeaworldthatiscomposedbyChristianuniversallove,butnottherights.TheUtopianisminhermindshowsatendency:therealizationofChristianuniversalloveshouldgothroughthedailylife,thesacrificialprincipleliesinmaternallove.Mrs.Stoweherselfisthemotherofsixchildren.Whenshecherishesherchildren,shethinksoftheslave’schildwhowassoldtoanunknownplace,shefeelspainful,soshecomposesmanypiousChristianmotherinthisnovel,suchasMrs.Shelby,St.Clare’smotherandLegree’smother.Thesemothershavethecommonmeritstheyareallkind,moral,saintlyandsoon.Theyarealltheidealmothesrofchildren.

2.3.1Mrs.Shelby

Mr.Shelby’swifeisadeeplydevotedwomanwhostrivestogiveakindandmoralinfluenceuponherslaves.“Shehavetriedtriedmostfaithfully,asaChristianwomanshould—todomydutytothesepoor,simple,dependentcreatures.Ihavecaredforthem,instructedthem,watchedoverthem,andknownalltheirlittlecaresandjoys,foryears.”[21]P34Sheappallswhenherhusbandnegotiatessellinghisslaveswithaslavetraderandrealizesthatslaveryiswrongandveryunchristian.Whenshefindsthingscannotturnforthebetter,shefeelssorryfortheslavesthatwouldbesoldandindignantwiththeslaver.

2.3.2St.Clare’smother

SheisaloftyandpuremotherandnamesSt.Clare’snameashernametohopehersonwouldbethesamecharacterofhers.Thoughherhusbandlovesandpampersher,yethedoesnotapproveofherparticipatinginthemattersofslaves.Sheisagainstslaverybecauseshethinksthatweareallmenbornofwomen,andnotsavagebeasts,butshedoesnotobjectanywordofherhusbandorexpressesanydifferentadviceonherappearance.WecanfindthisfromSt.Clare’srecalling,“Shenevercontradicted,inform,anythingthatmyfathersaid,orseemeddirectlytodifferfromhim;butsheimpressed,burntintomyverysoul,withalltheforceofherdeep,earnestnature,anideaofthedignityandworthofthemeanesthumansoul.Ihavelookedinherfacewithsolemnawe,whenshewouldpointuptothestarsintheevening,andsaytome,“Seethere,Auguste!Thepoorest,meanestsoulonourplacewillbeliving,whenallthesestarsaregoneforever,－willliveaslongasGodlives!”[22]P232HerwordsgreatlyinfluenceSt.Clare’sattitudetoslavery.Shedoesnotwanttocomeintoconflictwithherhusband,andshewantstofightagainstslaveryinapeacefulway.ThisisalsothewayMrs.Stoweadvocatesinliberatingslavesandabolishingslavery.Shestrikespeoplebyhercordialandsincerecharacter.ShealsoinstillsintoSt.Clarethateveryman,nomatterWhitesorBlacks,allhavethespiritStClarerecalledthat,“Therewasamorbidsensitivenessandacutenessoffeelinginmeonallpossiblesubjects,ofwhichhe(mybrother)andmyfatherhadnokindofunderstanding,andwithwhichtheycouldhavenopossiblesympathy.Butmotherdid;andso,whenIhadquarreledwithAlfred,andfatherlookedsternlyonme,Iusedtogoofftomother’sroom,andsitbyher,Irememberjusthowsheusedtolook,withherpalecheeks,herdeep,soft,seriouseyes,herwhitedress,－shealwaysworewhite;andIusedtothinkofherwheneverIreadinRevolutionsaboutthesaintsthatwerearrayedinfinelinen,cleanandwhite.”[23]P232FromSt.Clare’srecalling,wecanlearnthatSt.Clare’smotherisfullofloveforherchildrenandresemblesMariainunderstandingherchildren.

ThereisapartofSt.Clare’srecalling,“Shehadsomefineoldpaintings;one,inparticular,ofJesushealingablindman.Theywereveryfine,andusedtoimpressmestrongly.‘Seethere,Auguste,’shewouldsay;‘theblindmanwasabeggar,poorandloathsome;therefore,‘hewouldnothealhimafaroff!Hecalledhimtohim,andputhishandonhim!Rememberthis,myboy.”[24P234]Fromthis,wecanseehertrustinJesusandeducateshischildrenwiththispainting.SuchbehaviorshowsthatsheisaChristian.

2.3.3Legree’sMother

Sheisalsoapious,gentleChristianmother.SheholdsLegreeinherarms,singingthehymnpiouslyandreverently.However,hersondoesnotgrowasshehopes.Herhard—workingnurturecannotexterminateherson’sviciousnature.Likehisfather,Legreedespisesallhermother’sexhortationsandbecomesviolentandperemptory.Herheartisbrokenwhen“Onenight,whenhismother,inthelastagonyofherdespair,kneltashisfeet,hespurnedherfromhim,threwhersenselessonthefloor,and,withbrutalcurses,fledtohisship.”[25]P385ThenextLegreeheardofhismotherwas,when,onenight,ashewascarousingamongdrunkencompanions,aletterwasputintohishand.Heopenedit,andalockoflong,curlinghairfellfromit,andtwinedabouthisfingers.Thelettertoldhimhismotherwasdead,andthat,dying,sheblestandforgavehim.Fromthesesentences,wecanlearnthatLegree’smother’stolerant.EventhoughLegreetreatshersocruelly,shestillforgiveshim.ThisalsoagreeswiththespiritinChristianity.AlthoughJesusissoldbyJudaandgiveshislife,hestillforgivesJudaandpraysforthosewhosentencedhim.

Acommontraitamongthoseconsiderate,piousmothersisthattheyadoreChristianandallareagainsttheinstitutionofslaveryexceptthatitisnotsoobviousinthecaseofLegree’smother.Slaveryisacruelactionintheirmind.Mostofthemarethespiritualguidersfortheirsonsandhusbands.ToSt.Clare,hermotherwasadirectembodimentandpersonificationoftheNewTestamentalivingfact,tobeaccountedfor,andtobeaccountedforinnootherwaythanbyitstruth.ToGeorge,whenheisforsakentemporarilybytheGod,hiswifealwaysservesasthebrightlamptoguidehimandrestoreshim.However,toLegree,“Thatpale,lovingmother,herdyingprayers,herforgivinglove”[26]P386,wroughtinthatdemoniacheartofsinonlyasadamningsentence,bringingwithitafearfullookingforofjudgmentandfieryindignation.2.4GeorgeHarris

GeorgeisEliza’shusbandwholivesinaneighboringplantation.WhenhehearsthatElizahasrunaway,healsodoesthegreataction.Desperateforhisfreedom,GeorgeescapesdisguisedhimselfasaSpaniardandfindshisfamilyinOhio.Heisveryquick-wittedandavoidsmanytimestobecaught.