Research Paper on:
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin and Patriarchy

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
people. They did not have the intelligence or the ability to survive on their own, and as such could righteously be placed into slavery for their own protection. This was,  perhaps, the kindest condition of slavery. There were those, of course, who just felt that the African slaves were nothing but savages and should be used, and abused, at the  owners whim. And, there were those Christians who truly understood that slavery was wrong. But, for the most part, especially as it relates to Harriet Beecher Stowes book "Uncle  Toms Cabin," Christianity and the patriarchal society went hand in hand. Bearing that in mind the following paper examines instances of patriarchal attitudes within the novel, and also examines how  the slaves feel about their position. The paper then examines the role that religion plays in the novel. Patriarchy One of the first times we note a sense  of the patriarchal attitude is when a trader is asking Shelby if he can purchase Elizas little boy, a beautiful and captivating boy. Shelby asks what the trader could possibly  want with the boy, to which the trader replies: "Why, Ive got a friend thats going into this yer branch of the business--wants to buy up handsome boys to raise  for the market. Fancy articles entirely--sell for waiters, and so on, to rich uns, that can pay for handsome uns" (Stowe Chapter I NA). He further indicates that they  are a joyful and entertaining reality, much like children who should be seen and not heard: "They fetch a good sum; and this little devil is such a comical, musical  concern, hes just the article!" (Stowe Chapter I NA). This presents us with but one aspect of how the owners of slaves often felt that the slaves were of