Study Questions

1. What hangs over the fireplace in Uncle Tom’s cabin?

2. What three things does young Master George do on his visit to the cabin?

3. How does Master George jest with Aunt Chloe?

4. From which part of the Bible does Master George read?

5. What makes Mrs. Shelby question her husband about Haley?

6. What does Mrs. Shelby call herself to justify her arguments against selling Harry and Tom?

7. Why does Mrs. Shelby call the deal to sell Harry and Tom “God’s curse on slavery”?

8. How does Mr. Shelby defend himself on religious grounds?

9. Why does Tom decide to stay when Eliza tells him of Mr. Shelby’s intentions?

10. What last instructions does Eliza leave for Tom and Chloe?

Answers

1. A portrait of George Washington hangs over the fireplace.

2. Master George teaches Tom how to write, he stays for dinner, and he reads at the prayer meeting.

3. Master George jests with Aunt Chloe by telling her that a servant on another plantation is supposed to be a better cook than her. Chloe pretends to take great offense at this suggestion.

4. George reads the last chapters from Revelations.

5. Mrs. Shelby questions her husband because of Eliza’s earlier fears of Haley’s offer for Harry.

6. Mrs. Shelby calls herself a “Christian woman.”

7. Mrs. Shelby thinks that both masters and slaves are cursed by slavery. Masters sin for dealing in humans as property. Slaves suffer because they cannot live as human beings.

8. Mr. Shelby points to some ministers who defend slavery.

9. Aside from his trustworthiness, Tom remains because he thinks that it is better for him to be sold than to have the whole plantation ruined.

10. She tells them to let her husband George know what has happened, if they see him.