If you've never read Uncle Tom's Cabin, you should. It is simply one of the best novels I've ever read, and certainly the most Christian.

We're studying history and literature this year with my grade 8 daughter using Veritas Press' Omnibus III curriculum, which is wonderful. Basically, you read original sources from the time period and then do cultural and biblical analysis on them. We're doing the civil war right now, so Uncle Tom's Cabin was one source they used.

I always shied away from it because I thought it would be much more graphic and disturbing than it was. Instead, you invariably cry at the end, but it's a good cry, like you're climbing out of a nice, warm bath. (Actually, I was. I always read in the bath. But that's another story!).

You feel as if you have touched a piece of Jesus in the character of Tom, but also in the other characters.

And what I love about Harriet Beecher Stowe is that she tells it like it is. Not all blacks are good and not all whites are evil. Not all women are good, and not all women are evil. Some men are bad, some are good. She's equal opportunity, which is the way it is in life! We can respond to difficult circumstances (in this case, slavery) by becoming like Christ, or we can become bitter and persecute others. And I think because it was written in the 1850s children today can handle it. They just weren't as graphic about violence and sex as they would have been today writing the same novel, so it's wonderful.

The two questions Rebecca and I have both enjoyed are: how is Tom a Christ figure? It's the first time we've looked at Christ figures in literature, and it led to discussions of Lord of the Rings as well. And secondly, who is in slavery? And how? What she realized is that the white slave owners were in slavery as well, just of a different sort. They were enslaved spiritually, but also physically, because they could not extricate themselves from the evil system.

Anyway, a great book. Rebecca couldn't put it down and read it in one day. So read it, even if you're not studying the civil war! It will bring you closer to Christ.

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Posted by charles0322

I know how you feel. I was bawling at the end of the book. She was indeed and incredible writer.

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Posted by 2boysmom

Thank you for your comment on my latest post. Funny - most of the best friends that I have don't go to church with me either. They are other homeschooling friends that God has brought into my life at times and they've lasted through the years.
I need people and I think God gives us friends. Thanks Lord for supplying our needs and our wants!

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Posted by all4myblessings

I tagged you for a book Meme :). Come over if your interested in joining in on the fun!!

~Chrystal

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Posted by bbullard

Hi, it's been a long time since I stopped by. I've not yet read Uncle Tom's Cabin, but am looking forward to enjoying it with our children. One that we've enjoyed is from the Dear America series, I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly by Joyce Hansen. Sadly enough, as you stated, slavery becomes a state of mind as much as a state of physical condition, and this book points out even after emancipation, there were those who couldn't free their minds to move past the mentality of the plantation. I hope that you guys continue to enjoy, and be blessed.

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