Read the review and complete the tasks below.
UNCLE TOM'S CABIN
Harriet Beecher
Stowe's main work, Uncle Tom's Cabin, has an incredible legacy. Focusing on the
plight of African American slaves in antebellum USA, it was charged by Abraham
Lincoln with the outbreak of the American Civil War and it is easy, even in
this modern day, to see why: the amazing legacy is matched by the fantastic
plot which follows the irresistibly loveable character Uncle Tom through his
trials and torments under different slave owners and the intertwining lives of
various other slaves. At once thrilling and devastating it is no surprise that
the novel had such a profound effect on the people of the day.
One of the most
pervading themes of the book is faith, most importantly its inability to be
shaken. The inspirational character Tom's strong faith is demonstrated
throughout the novel and the way that, despite all the hardships he suffers,
his faith is unbreakable has had an acute impact on the readers. Full of
poignant moments, the novel shows Tom's admirable and steadfast faith in God
until the very end. Particularly profound is the way that the other characters
prove contrasting in their ability to trust and hope; unlike Tom, they allow
themselves to succumb to the hopelessness of their surroundings.
The tumultuous and
twisting plot makes for a real page-turner of a novel and the journeys
undertaken by the main characters of the novel are cleverly paralleled in terms
of hope. When a sense of hope for a new life and new beginning for one
character overtakes the devastating loss of hope for another, the effect is
bittersweet and one can't help but wish that Beecher Stowe had composed a
sequel.
Of course, the
dominant theme of slavery woven throughout the novel makes for a deeply
disturbing lesson in the history of not just the USA but also of the world.
Through Beecher Stowe's eyes we learn about perhaps the most damaging effects
of the "peculiar institution" – neither the physical punishment the
slaves are served, nor the loss of the fundamental human right to liberty, but
the separation of families and loved ones, a cruel reminder of the dehumanized
way in which the slaves were treated.
If you want a heart-wrenching book that
explores one of the greatest evils of humanity, whilst still retaining a speck of hope for change, Uncle Tom's Cabin is for you.
1. In the first paragraph, the writer aims to ___
A. Put emphasis on the predicament the slaves were in.
B. Elaborate on the significance of the novel at the time of its release and for posterity.
C. Emphasize how endearing and lovable the main character is, despite his troubles.
D. To pinpoint the cause of unhappiness that the slaves in the pre-war United States were experiencing.
2. The role of faith in one’s life is demonstrated by ___
A. The protagonist’s determination.
B. The protagonist’s resistance against his fate.
C. The compassion that it evokes.
D. The inability of some people to trust in God.
3. What makes the reader of this book wish for a sequel?
A. The dramatic turn of events in the original work.
B. The inescapable desire to see some characters’ lives come to a good end.
C. The hope of a more engaging plot.
D. The author’s ability to make bittersweet endings.
4. The most harmful effect of slavery according to the author is ___
A. the inevitability of corporal punishment.
B. the denial of a fundamental human right.
C. the partings that family members experience.
D. that it is a lesson to an entire world.
5. What is the writer’s main argument when advising to read this book?
A. The book is a hopeful narrative of a terrible time.
B. The book is a compulsive read.
C. The book explores the issue of slavery in an upbeat manner.
D. The book has a heartbreaking story.
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