An Era of Inhumanity :: American America History

An Era of InhumanityWriters differ in the purpose for which they write. Some aim to entertain, but the more serious and skilled writers usually have the end of expressing a serious idea. Writers such as Hariet Beecher Stowe and Alex Haley are writers who write for more than mere entertainment. Uncle Toms Cabin, written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, had a political purpose. Stowe intended to help the States realize the inhumanity of sla rattling and the pain it brought upon African-Americans by writing a melodramatic novel. She despised the South for practicing slavery and the North as well for their blemish against blacks. Roots was written by Alex Haley in search of his origin. His hunger for knowledge of who he was and who his ancestors were inspired him to carry out numerous years of research and boundless interviews in order to finish his book. Although Alex Haley wrote Roots in search of his origin and Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Toms Cabin for a political purpose, both aut hors lead readers to sympathize with the predicaments of African-Americans by set a human face, as well as a racial one on the tragedy of slavery, thus involving all readers in the inhumanity of the institution. In Uncle Toms Cabin we are cordially introduced to Uncle Tom. He is a large, broad-chested, powerfully-made man, of a full glossy black, and a face whose truly African feature are characterized by and convention of grave and steady good sense, united with much kindliness and benevolence(Stowe 24). By her description of Tom, Stowe contradicts the common stereotype that blacks are savages and inhumane by self-aggrandising Uncle Tom the characteristics of an ideal, honest man. He is described as being kind and benevolent as well as having an expression of good sense. Stowe also portrays Uncle Tom as a perfect being. It seems as if his personality is without a flaw and seems too good to be true. By giving Uncle Tom this unflawed characteristic, Stowe is able to show that he too is human although his difference in skin color. As one is introduced to the setting of Uncle Toms cabin, one feels at home and very relaxed. Aunt Chloes cooking of various tasty dishes adds to the serene environment of the cabin and as we see Uncle Tom learning how to read and write from his young Masr George, it seems as though there are no worries, hardships are unknown, and an utopia exists within the walls of the cabin.