Literature During Slavery Essay

Therefore, the cultural and historical context of any work of literature influences its rendition (Lauter, 2010). The plight of slavery influenced Harriet-Beecher Stowe in writing her Uncle Tom’s Cabin. She wrote the novel 1852 when slavery was at the climax. It outlines the hardships slave went through during the period and highlighted racial prejudice against blacks. Christianity, which was developing roots in Europe at the time the novel was written, has also been incorporated. Although her wife is against the idea citing their amicable relation with the slaves, he decides to sell Uncle Tom, a middle-aged family man, and Harry, who is a son to their maid Elize, to slave traders. Elize overhears her master’s resolution and decides to run away to save her only child.

She had already had two miscarriages. She is disappointed because her master had promised her that he would not sell her children. Their son, George is also disappointed by the sale of Uncle Tom because he regards him as a mentor. Ophelia, St. Clare’s cousin promises to throw off her personal bias towards blacks. Eva’s father promises to let Tom free. However, St. Clare dies before fulfilling his promise after being stabbed. Tom encourages her to run away from the farm with Emmeline, another slave who had been bought at the same time with Tom. When Legree learned of the escape, he asked Tom of their whereabouts, but he refused to tell him. He ordered his overseer to beat him to death.

Before dying, Tom tells them that he forgave them for their deeds. Legree and his overseer were humbled by the act of forgiveness and decide to become Christians. The novel was also written at a period when Christianity was beginning to spread within Europe. The religion was used to give hope to the suffering slaves. This influences Beecher writing. She uses Christianity as a symbol of hope. Through Eva’s vision, her father changes his perception of slaves. In conclusion, no work of literature comes to be from the imaginations of the writer. Although fictional, literature reflects on the experiences of the writer and how exposed he/she is to the environment. Factors such as the culture in which the writer has been raised, political climate, and the economic state of the write greatly influence their work.