In Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Stowe touches on many difficult issues plaguing the time in which she lived: slavery, racism, sexism, etc. But the issue that seems most prevalent, thus far, is that of the downplaying of slavery and dehumanization of African-American slaves in the United States. Stowe begins the novel by introducing and describing two "gentleman," however, only one is considered a true gentleman of sorts, "For convenience sake, we have said, hitherto, two gentlemen. One of the parties, however, when critically examined, did not seem, strictly speaking, to come under the species" (Stowe, 1). Stowe was referring to Haley, a slave trader attempting to purchase slaves from Mr. Shelby; Shelby is the man that is supposed to embody the true gentleman portrayed in this conversation. Stowe even labels this very first chapter, "In Which the Reader Is Introduced to a Man of Humanity."
I do not think Stowe is really trying to say that Shelby is a man of humanity, though. What seems more accurate to me is that Stowe is explaining that Shelby is the lesser of two evils. This may not be the traditional way of thinking during these times, but that is exactly what I believe Stowe was trying to abolish in this novel: the traditional way of thinking. Shelby, in contrast to Haley, seems to be sensitive toward the slaves. Of course, in today's society, we would call that being human, but the dynamics of society were very different then. Stowe describes Shelby's "sensitivity" on the second page of the very first chapter, when he explains why he wants to arrange the sale of his slave, Tom, "Why, the fact is, Haley, Tom is an uncommon fellow; he is certainly worth that sum anywhere...steady, honest, capable, manages my whole farm like a clock" (Stowe, 2). Shelby's "sensitivity" appears more clearly(to the readers of today, at least)when Haley replies with, "You mean honest, as niggers go" (Stowe, 2).
In today's society we can very easily see the atrocities happening in this novel, but it was not as obvious to some, or as cut and dry, in those days. This is the reason, I feel, that Stowe includes these types of dialogues throughout her novel. Another perfect example she gives her readers is the constant mention of African-American slaves as "creatures." This is a large reason I think Stowe wants her readers to look deeper; she wants her readers to see past the dialogue, down into the ironic hypocrisy that plagued the daily lives of all who lived within this era.
