But over his heart there seemed to be a warm spot, where those young hands had placed that precious dollar. Tom put up his hand, and held it close to his heart.
This is an incredible example of Stowe's attempt to create an emotional response within the reader. It truly sums up the love that Tom and George have for each other, which, in many ways, mirrors a father-son relationship.
"O! Mas'r George, ye mustn't talk so 'bout yer father!"
This mirrors the conversation that Chloe and Tom had earlier in the chapter. As previously stressed, the characterization of master George is critical. He is one of the few characters appearing in the novel thus far that is not only unhappy with slavery, but is attempting to do something about it. In many ways, he is the model character in the story. It is interesting to note that his age is never mentioned in the story...perhaps to create a broader sense of sympathy from the audience.
It was in vain that he said to himself that he had a right to do it,—that everybody did it,—and that some did it without even the excuse of necessity;—he could not satisfy his own feelings; and that he might not witness the unpleasant scenes of the consummation, he had gone on a short business tour up the country, hoping that all would be over before he returned.
This scene is incredibly powerful and again, plays an important role in creating an audience connection and provoking emotion. Here, we see Mr. Shelby desperately trying to convince himself that he made the right decision - that it was something that everybody did. However, in his attempt to do so, it is revealed that he is truly deeply troubled by the situation so much so that he cannot bear to witness Tom being taken away. This is one of Stowe's attempts to prove that the slave trade is immoral - that people who are involved in it are not ignorant to what may (and probably will) happen to these slaves.
"I'm sorry," said Tom, "that Mas'r George happened to be away." George had gone to spend two or three days with a companion on a neighboring estate, and having departed early in the morning, before Tom's misfortune had been made public, had left without hearing of it. "Give my love to Mas'r George," he said, earnestly.
The bond that Stowe has created between Master George and Tom in such a short amount of interaction is incredible. Tom says nothing about Mr. Shelby, who he passionately defended. It appears that Tom and Master George have a strong relationship that is introduced in a previous chapter in which George is teaching Tom how to properly write. It is an interesting that Stowe chose to create this strong relationship between a slave and a white child. Perhaps she did so to emphasize the idea that children cannot see color.
Tom got in, and Haley, drawing out from under the wagon seat a heavy pair of shackles, made them fast around each ankle.
It is interesting to note how passive Tom is during this situation. While the reader is receiving incredible levels of emotion from others - Aunt Chloe, Mrs. Shelby, etc - is seems that there is actually an incredibly minute focus on Tom, as he is being portrayed as emotionless and passive. This truly underlines his faith.
"Tom," she said, "I come to—" and stopping suddenly, and regarding the silent group, she sat down in the chair, and, covering her face with her handkerchief, began to sob. "Lor, now, Missis, don't—don't!" said Aunt Chloe, bursting out in her turn; and for a few moments they all wept in company. And in those tears they all shed together, the high and the lowly, melted away all the heart-burnings and anger of the oppressed.
This is devastating but also an incredible example of racial unity. This is an absolutely critical scene for Stowe to allow the audience to witness the pain that slavery causes for both white and black individuals. It is also a strategic technique. Throughout the text, Stowe characterizes Mrs. Shelby as the "perfectly right and just white woman". With her intended audience of women for this piece, this really allows women readers to sympathize with both black and white, as they yearn to by the "perfect" woman that Mrs. Shelby is.
The boys, having eaten everything there was on the breakfast-table, began now to take some thought of the case; and, seeing their mother crying, and their father looking very sad, began to whimper and put their hands to their eyes. Uncle Tom had the baby on his knee, and was letting her enjoy herself to the utmost extent, scratching his face and pulling his hair, and occasionally breaking out into clamorous explosions of delight, evidently arising out of her own internal reflections.
This is also an emotional scene for the reader. We are presented with two young children who seemingly don't understand what is going on - the children that, like Chloe, were raised in slavery and know nothing bad of it. It's interesting the way in which Stowe has created this "complex hierarchy of knowledge" here. There is Chloe, who understands the situation and is devastated, the two boys who understand that there is a bad situation occurring but know no details, and the baby, who understands nothing of it and is filled with happiness. Perhaps Stowe is utilizing this family to symbolize the white response to slavery.
"Lor, Pete," said Mose, triumphantly,
It is interesting to note Stowe's choice of names for these children - both of whom share commonalities with common biblical names: Moses and Peter. Perhaps Stowe chose these names as a reflection of Chloe and Tom's religious beliefs. On the other hand, they could have simply been a reflection of common names at the time.
This nerves the African, naturally patient, timid and unenterprising, with heroic courage, and leads him to suffer hunger, cold, pain, the perils of the wilderness, and the more dread penalties of recapture.
Stowe really plays with the audience's emotions in this entire description of the African American race. She describes them in a way that one may describe either a young child or a loyal pet- naturally innocent and naive. Here, she is attempting to provoke sympathy and/or empathy from the audience, who is receiving this image that African Americans are, in many ways, helpless. This really emphasizes Stowe's views that she does truly see many differences between the black and white race.
I can't jest make out whar 't is, but thar's wrong somewhar, I'm clar o' that.
This is incredibly sad. Aunt Chloe has spent her entire life in slavery and, knowing nothing else, she struggles to pinpoint the fault of the situation (though she knows there is one). At the time, millions of African American children were born into slavery and, for these children/adults, it was the norm. I wonder how that played a role in the abolitionist movement because many slaves were (so they thought) completely dependent on their white masters.
it must be remembered that all the instinctive affections of that race are peculiarly strong
This is interesting in the way that she is recognizing that there is a defined difference between the two races (this is introduced in her 1852 preface to her text where she describes African Americans as "...a character so essentially unlike the hard and dominant Anglo-Saxon race"). This text was met with much criticism, as many claimed that Stowe possessed prejudicial ideas. This paragraph truly underlines that view. The novel "The Concept of "Race" in Natural and Social Science" delves more into Stowe's incorporation of this, particularly focusing on this paragraph in the novel.
Gates, E. Nathaniel. The Concept of Race "in Natural and Social Science." New York: Garland Publishing Inc, 1997. Print.
thar don't a sparrow fall without him
This is also a reference to biblical literature taken from Matthew 10:29, which essentially explains that one should not have fear because God always takes care of the situation. Again, this not only shows Tom's deep sense of religion, but Stowe's as well. She has inserted numerous references to the Bible and is evidently well educated in religion.
Wong, Cliff, and Andrew Kwong. A Biblical Perspective on How to Handle Worry and Fear. N.p.: n.p., 2010. Print.
"Chloe! now, if ye love me, ye won't talk so, when perhaps jest the last time we'll ever have together! And I'll tell ye, Chloe, it goes agin me to hear one word agin Mas'r. Wan't he put in my arms a baby?—it's natur I should think a heap of him. And he couldn't be spected to think so much of poor Tom. Mas'rs is used to havin' all these yer things done for 'em, and nat'lly they don't think so much on 't. They can't be spected to, no way. Set him 'longside of other Mas'rs—who's had the treatment and livin' I've had? And he never would have let this yer come on me, if he could have seed it aforehand. I know he wouldn't."
It's incredibly interesting how much love that Tom has for his owner, Mr. Shelby, and how willing he is to stand up for him after he had just sold Tom. In many ways, Stowe is shifting the focus with this defense. He seems to be, in a way, idolizing his white master and creating a hierarchy that is illustrating himself as a lesser (ie. referring to himself as "poor Tom"). However, I think is also does show his intelligence via his recognition of the slaveholders being blinded by their own privilege.
Ah, brave, manly heart,—smothering thine own sorrow, to comfort thy beloved ones!
I found this to be strange. Throughout the text, we have seen a "distant narrator" who essentially exists only for the purpose of explaining what is happening between character dialogue. However, here we see something very different. For the first time, Stowe seems to be breaking out of that emotionless narrator position. Perhaps she does so to appeal to the readers' emotions on a deeper level by expressing a level of admiration for Tom and to truly emphasize the sadness of the situation. I found this change of narration to be incredibly interesting and quite effective.
"There'll be the same God there, Chloe, that there is here."
Again, this is an incredible claim by Tom. As his wife is slowly losing faith, he is putting complete faith in his God to carry him through the situation. This really shows the type of religious character that Tom is.
"lifted up her voice and wept."
This is from Genesis 21:16 (English Standard Version). In this section of the Book of Genesis, the word "slave" is frequently used. Many individuals at the time used the fact that slavery appeared in biblical texts to justify it. This is an interesting choice for Stowe to include as it truly underlines her value of religion.
"So long as your grand folks wants to buy men and women, I'm as good as they is," said Haley; "'tan't any meaner sellin' on 'em, that 't is buyin'!"
This is a really important point that Stowe is making. Since the first chapter, the audience is persuaded to dislike Haley. Here, he is making an incredible point: he is no worse than Mr. Shelby, who is seen as a "good guy". This really emphasizes the idea that no matter your role in slavery, you are equally wrong. With this quote, Haley is putting everyone on the same playing field.
only rubbed away over and over on the coarse shirt, already as smooth as hands could make it
This really aids in enhancing the emotional connection for the readers. Here, Aunt Chloe is trying desperately to distract herself from the immense pain of the fact that her husband is about to be taken away. Stowe does an incredible job at encouraging emotion from the reader, which is an incredibly critical part of this story. At the time, African Americans were seen as non-humans - they were thought not to be able to feel human emotions such a sadness and sorrow. Stowe forces the audience to feel sympathy throughout this entire text. This technique is incredibly clever.
"I'll be real good, Uncle Tom, I tell you," said George. "I'm going to be a first-rater; and don't you be discouraged. I'll have you back to the place, yet. As I told Aunt Chloe this morning, I'll build our house all over, and you shall have a room for a parlor with a carpet on it, when I'm a man. O, you'll have good times yet!"
The characterization of George was set up to allow the audience to build an emotional connection and to prove a point. He, in many ways, resembles the idea that nobody is born racist (also seen in previous chapters when he is teaching Tom how to write). He possesses an incredible amount of innocence (which is also seen a few lines down where he is telling Haley that he should be ashamed of himself) that offers him the idea that when he's "a man", he will make things perfect and good. He also appears not to see skin color and is one of the few individuals in the text who refers to black individuals as "men and women" as opposed to "creatures", going as far as to compare their treatment to the ways in which cattle are treated.
Tom sat by, with his Testament open on his knee, and his head leaning upon his hand
At this point in the text, we have already been introduced to religion as a theme. Tom turning to religion during a time like this - hours before he is about to be traded and torn from his family - speaks incredible volumes about the way that religion played a role in society. Stowe creates a wide range of individuals in this text who all can seemingly be connected through their beliefs. We have been introduced to slaves that have lost their faith because of their enslavement. This instance truly emphasizes the important role of religion in all individuals at the time.
Poor Dick
The switch to the use of a nickname is perhaps an attempt to offer the audience more of a personal connection with Poor Richard and makes them more likely to follow his words?
Methinks I hear some of you say, must a man afford himself no leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
At this point in the reading, I almost feel as though Franklin is taking advantage of the people. He is using his character of "Poor Richard" and elevating him to appear to be "perfectly good", despite his poor circumstances. Using Poor Richard may increase the desire for the audience to pay attention because he feels as though they will develop the idea of: "if a poor man can have ideals such as these, so can I". Either way, this proves ineffective.
Poor Richard says, at the end on't
This signals the beginning of excessive "life lessons" by Poor Richard - who is actually Benjamin Franklin. I am unsure if the public is aware of this at this point in time (or if it was even a secret at all), though if not, I find it to be a humorous way for Franklin to combat some of his previous claims that he is seldom quoted by learned others. It is, in a way, secretly "mocking" those who thought little of him.
Richard Saunders.
After reading a bit about Franklin's upbringing, it is very clear as to why he has developed the attitude that he has towards over-indulgence and laziness. It is also incredibly clear why he has adopted the character of "Poor Richard", who is, in essence, a symbol of himself. To read about his early life, check out: http://www.earlytorise.com/how-ben-franklin-started-with-nothing-and-became-wealthy/
felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum
A Latin proverb translating to "happy is the man who learns caution from other people's risks"
folly
The lack of good sense or judgment. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/folly
And farther, what maintains one vice, would bring up two children. You may think perhaps that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great Matter; but remember what Poor Richard says, many a little makes a mickle, and farther, beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship, and again, who dainties love, shall beggars prove, and moreover, fools make Feasts, and wise men eat them.
Franklin is just talking about how foolish costs add up and reminding people that they should not lead a life of over-indulgence.
laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him
This paragraph reveals a lot about Franklin's character. It is evident, from Poor Richard's words, that he is an incredibly hard working man (which is summed up in this single quote) and does not believe in laziness.
"It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service. But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle employments or amusements, that amount to nothing. Sloth,by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep! forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the grave, as Poor Richard says. If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality, since, as he elsewhere tells us, lost time is never found again, and what we call time-enough, always proves little enough: let us then be up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy, as Poor Richard says; and he that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night. While laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him, as we read in Poor Richard, who adds, drive thy business, let not that drive thee; and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
I am unsure if "Father Abraham" is a real individual or simply a tool for Franklin to share how relevant his idioms are.
word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a bushel
Idioms meaning that wise men don't need much a full explanation of situations/circumstances to understand and that, also, too many words don't help come to a conclusion.
Poor Richard says, at the end on't
Poor Richard was a pen-name that Benjamin Franklin created. "Poor Richard" was a philosopher that frequently published witty proverbs. http://www.britannica.com/topic/Poor-Richard "at the end on't" refers to "and that's all there is to it", which was a phrase commonly used in the 18th century.
solid pudding
cash/money http://definithing.com/solid-pudding/