Uncle Tom's Cabin-Themes Part One

The first theme we want to consider is that of slavery. It seems almost ludicrous to discuss the theme of slavery in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Slavery would strike us as more of a subject or topic than a theme. But it is a theme. Stowe’s opinions on slavery and the institution of slavery form the very heart of this novel. As we have said before, much of Stowe’s experience with slavery came from people she met and things she saw from the North. She did not spend great amounts of time researching the various ways people kept or treated slaves. The novel itself was written from Brunswick, Maine, nearly 500 miles from Maryland, the most northern slave state in the Union.
That being said, how does slavery fit into the novel as a theme? It is obvious that Stowe thinks of slavery as an evil in the nation. Even as she recounts the gentleness of Shelby and St. Clare, she counters with the cruelty of Haley and Legree. With the exception of Tom, almost every slave we meet wants out of that circumstance in their life. They want to escape, to get to the North or Canada where they can be free. The cruelty with which Legree and Haley treat slaves overshadows the beneficence of Shelby and St. Clare because the latter are unable to make good on their intentions of freedom. Shelby and St. Clare have good intentions regarding Tom, but are incapable of carrying them out. In this way, Stowe represents every Southerner who is kind and gentle with their slaves as incompetent to do what they know should be done. No matter what good intentions a slave owner may have, the system itself is evil, and will inevitably lead to cruelty.