Uncle Tom is the hero of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' - he is strong, moral, good, selfless, and kind - everything that Stowe believes a Christian should strive to become. Today 'Uncle Tom' is one of the worst insults that you can use when talking to an African-American. Why is this? Is Uncle Tom actually a hero, or are George and Liza the real heroes? If Uncle Tom really is a hero, how and/or why has his name become an insult?
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In the book Tom is the hero and he is almost a model of perfection. He is honest, trustworthy, and a strong believer. But the reason the term "Uncle Tom" is an insult in because it is another way of calling someone a people pleaser. this refers specifically to African Americans who are seem doing the work of white people. that is why it is such an insult.
Calling someone an "Uncle Tom", particularly black people, is an insult because in the novel, Uncle Tom is seeking approval of a white man, which black people don't see as a good thing.
Being called "Uncle Tom" is an insult to Africans and African Americans because in the book Uncle Tom was obeying orders which is good, but others see it as bad because Uncle Tom seemed as if he could not stand up for himself and that he is weak and wimpy.
So is Uncle Tom heroic? What is he to you? Why does Stowe see her character in such a different way from African-Americans today?
Declan - which white man is Uncle Tom seeking approval from? When he disobeys one owner (I won't say more so I won't spoil the book for others) he must expect that white man to disapprove of him. Or is he ultimately seeking his approval from God?
Uncle Tom is a hero. It is because of him that slaves could have hope of having a better life. Throughout the book he showed a Christ like attitude and helped other people.
The protagonist Uncle Tom is a very God-fearing person. He strongly believes that God would find him ways to avoid difficulties. As an African American he might have gone through obstacles. Calling someone "Uncle Tom" is an insult in way because Uncle Tom displays as a slave. Every person has their own dignity.
I mean yes, Uncle Tom was almost perfect but other people would think that he was very foolish. His faith and loyalty was very strong that he even died because of his faith and loyalty but other people would not really understand that. Tom died forgiving Legree, which is a very difficult thing to do. Other people would perhaps die cursing Legree. So I believe that calling someone 'Uncle Tom' is an insult because it would seem that the person is very foolish just like they would view Tom. (I hope this makes sense..)
I was confused throughout the book who the main character in this book is because the author always mentions Tom's story and the story of Eliza and George. But I think that both Tom and Eliza and George are the heroes in the novel because Tom was very faithul until the very end which leaves a very deep inpression and because Eliza and George were very courageous throughout the book. even though they had different endings, I believe that they are all the heroes of the novel.
Uncle Tom is a hero because the book talks a lot about his daily life.His way of living shows hope to all the other African American people.He even wins the trust of many white people.
I think uncle tom is heroic. Also to me he is a modle of a perfect christian, he's serving with out commplaint, he's conserned for his master and is obedient. He to me resembles someone to who people should look up to. I think it would almost be a complement to be called an uncle tom but mabey this is because i haven't read the whole book yet
Uncle Tom is a hero, since he is the driving force to end the segregation in the south. In these days, if a person calls an African American ‘Uncle Tom’ means that he is like a slave and that he is servitude to other people. Maybe the African American people do not want to think back to the time when there was segregation. Or, they might think that Uncle Tom just submitted to the slavery. Maybe that is the reason why the African Americans did not like to be called as Uncle Tom.
Tom is a hero, as Anu said that Tom earned the trust from the White people. So Tom may be the hero for everyone who thinks Tom to be a hero. But the African American does not think Tom as a hero, but as a foolish man. They thought Tom was just servitude to the White men, and did not know how to express his thoughts about slavery. Maybe the African Americans do not believe that Tom is the drawing force to abolish the segregation.
Anu- I mean yes, calling someone Uncle Tom would mean that he or she is a slave. But then just calling someone a slave is also an insult. I believe that there is a more specific reason of why calling someone Uncle Tom is an insult.
It is also not possible that some people that consider this name as an insult have never actually read the book and considered the situation(s) this truly heroic character was forced to endure and respond?
Anonymous hit on the best reason: Pure damn ignorance! Only the consideration of "some" limits his statement from perfection. It is possible that "all" people who consider this an insult have not read the book or are too dense to see the subtle distinctions of what "good", "righteousness", "selflessness", and even "revolutionary" are defined by. "All" seemingly have bought into Tom's storied acquiescing nature as weakness without understanding the part of Christ that he emulates. Instead, they would prefer a vengeful, cunning, fabled Brer Rabbit slickster next to whom Old Tom does not quite measure up and consequently, looks pathetic and worthy of scorn and humiliation. It also did not help that at crucial times in history so-called "leaders" inappropriately characterized Tom as an ineffectual example and the "denigration" stuck.
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