Chapter 1

1. Describe Mr. Shelby’s relationship to and views on his slaves. What difficulties arise from his position?

2. Describe Haley’s opinions on the slave trading business. In what ways is he being harsh, or is he being realistic?

Chapters 2-3

1. Compare and contrast George’s character to his master’s. What does Mr. Harris’s actions lead George to conclude about slavery?

2. Compare George’s sense of religion to Eliza’s. Why is he unsure of his own faith, but confident in Eliza’s?

Chapters 4-5

1. How do Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe raise their children? Are they strict or lenient? In what ways?

2. Describe Eliza’s thoughts and emotions as she learns about and decides her fate. What does she remember about her life growing up on the plantation? What are her fears about the future?

3. Why does Mrs. Shelby feel that both masters and slaves are cursed by slavery? How do the Shelbys suffer? How do the servants on the plantation suffer?

Chapter 6

1. Discuss Andy’s and Sam’s loyalty to Mrs. Shelby. What does it say about their relationship to her?

2. Examine Haley’s impressions of the situation. Why does he think that he is being played for a fool? When does he believe that circumstances are beyond his control?

Chapters 7-8

1. Discuss Tom’s attitude toward Mr. Shelby, Haley, and the remaining servants. Which one(s) does he feel the most sorry for, and why?

2. Discuss the relationship between Tom Loker and Haley. What role does Marks play in their discussion?

3. Describe Sam’s manner and style of telling the story of Eliza’s escape. How does his rendition differ when he tells Mr. and Mrs. Shelby, and then the other servants?

Chapter 9

1. Describe the relationship between Senator and Mrs. Bird. How do they affect one another?

2. What sort of characteristics does Mrs. Bird identify with in Eliza? How does this affiliation help Eliza?

Chapter 10

1. Describe how the Shelbys have failed Tom. What are the different reactions of Mr. Shelby, his wife, and Master George?

2. How does Tom address his family? The Shelbys? Haley?

Chapter 11

1. Describe Mr. Wilson’s understanding and use of the nation’s laws and the Bible to justify his arguments. Why does he really want to dissuade George from running away?

2. Discuss George’s personal history and its effects on his views of slavery.

Chapter 12

1. Describe some of the riverboat passengers’ reactions to Haley in particular and slavery in general. How do they justify their arguments for or against slavery?

2. Discuss Haley’s reasons and emotions for trading slaves. How does he explain his position from a personal perspective? From a religious perspective?

Chapter 13

1. Describe the relationships among the Quaker settlement. What principles do they follow? How do these beliefs affect escaped slaves?

2. How do George and Eliza react to the Hallidays’ generosity? Does it relieve the Harrises’ worries? Why or why not?

Chapters 14-15

1. Describe St. Clare’s bargaining methods with Haley. What points does St. Clare raise in regard to slavery? To religion?

2. Analyze Miss Ophelia’s perception of the world. How does the New England region affect her views?

3. In what ways are Uncle Tom and Eva alike?

Chapter 16

1. What sort of relationship do St. Clare and Marie have? On what do they agree or disagree?

2. Describe why Eva is the “only true democrat.” How does this title conform to her religious beliefs?

3. How does Miss Ophelia view slavery? What prompts her opinions of servants?

Chapter 17

1. Discuss Simeon Halliday’s and Phineas Fletcher’s views on violence. What do they advise George to do?

2. In what ways does Phineas’s former life as a backwoodsman help the fugitives?

Chapters 18-19

1. Compare and contrast St. Clare’s and Miss Ophelia’s views on the role of servants. For what does Ophelia think that masters should be responsible?

2. Discuss how St. Clare became a slave holder and Miss Ophelia a slavery opponent. How did their family backgrounds affect their views?

3. Examine St. Clare’s opinions on slavery. Is he being realistic or unsympathetic? How do these descriptions coincide with St. Clare being a humane slave holder?

Chapter 20

1. How does St. Clare try to get Ophelia to behave like a slave holder? Is he successful?

2. Discuss Topsy’s background. How does she compare to the other St. Clare servants? To other slaves in the book?

Chapter 21

1. Why is Mr. Shelby unwilling to buy back Tom? What does he disagree about with his wife?

2. Discuss the importance of family to Mrs. Shelby and Aunt Chloe. In what ways do they differ?

Chapters 22-24

1. Compare and contrast the spiritual nature of Eva and Tom.

2. Discuss Eva’s role in the confrontation between Henrique and Dodo. What does she say to each?

3. Compare and contrast Augustine and Alfred St. Clare’s opinions on the ruling class.

Chapters 25-27

1. Discuss Eva’s effect on the spiritual life of Topsy. Why do others fail to influence Topsy?

2. Examine St. Clare’s attitude toward religion. How are his views affected by Eva’s death?

3. What is Uncle Tom’s role during these trying moments? How does he counsel St. Clare?

Chapters 28-29

1. How does Eva’s death affect St. Clare’s views on religion?

2. Discuss Marie St. Clare’s behavior regarding setting Tom free. How does it coincide with her views on slavery? Why does she think that no one cares for her own concerns?

3. Compare Tom’s reaction to being sold to Adolph’s. Why is Tom more calm and accepting of the circumstances?

Chapters 30-32

1. Describe Susan’s and Emmeline’s relationship to one another. How is their background similar to Tom’s?

2. What are Tom’s and Emmeline’s first impressions of Legree and his plantation?

3. Describe Legree’s philosophy on managing his slaves and his plantation. How does his system differ from St. Clare’s?

Chapters 33-34

1. Compare Tom’s and Legree’s attitudes toward the management of slaves.

2. Describe Cassy’s interaction with Legree and Sambo. What do her actions and attitudes tell about her character?

Chapters 35-36

1. Describe Cassy’s influence on Legree. In what ways does she affect him?

2. Discuss Cassy’s attitude toward life on the Legree plantation. How do her views affect Emmeline?

3. Analyze Legree’s behavior and treatment of Tom in light of Legree’s personal history. In what ways does Legree’s mother resemble Tom?

Chapter 37

1. Examine the Quakers’ influence on Tom Loker. How does their treatment of him compare to how they received the Harrises?

2. Describe the Harris family’s reaction once they have landed in Canada.

Chapters 38-40

1. Describe Tom’s spiritual transformation. Why does he falter in his beliefs? What makes him regain his religious convictions?

2. How does the relationship start and then change between Cassy and Emmeline?

3. Discuss how Cassy plays on Legree’s fears and superstitions. Why does Legree react the way he does?

Chapters 41-42

1. Discuss the effects of Legree’s brutality and Tom’s death on Master George. What does Legree’s actions prompt Master George to do regarding slavery?

2. How does Legree’s own character contribute to his fears and Cassy’s pretense that the house is haunted?

3. Discuss the significance of the discoveries of family-related identities for Madame de Thoux and Cassy.

Chapters 43-44

1. Describe the changes that members of the Harris family endure. How have George and Eliza changed? How has Cassy?

2. Examine Master George’s actions for his servants. What experiences of Tom’s makes Master George hate slavery?

Chapter 45

1. Compare and contrast Stowe’s views on the North and South. What aspects of each does she criticize?

2. How do her personal life and knowledge affect the author’s portrayal of slavery?