This book was hotly debated when it was
first published in 1852, and has been several times since, particularly during
the 1970s, when increasing awareness of the situation of black Americans made
people question black stereotypes. One of these was the stereotype of Uncle
Tom.
In short, this is a story about how Tom is
sold like an object from one owner to another and how his living conditions, as
well as those of other black people, are determined by who the owner is.
Tom is a devout Christian, who refuses to
act against his convictions. In the end, he dies for his beliefs, as he refuses
to obey his master.