e northerners, however, having nothing with which to judge the accuracy of such representations, perhaps viewed the southern reaction as a simply defensive measure.Classic literary works often share certain qualities that elevate them above the average text; one such quality is transcendentalism. Usually, if a novels message has significance many years after it was written, it is considered to have transcendental value. In the case of Uncle Toms Cabin, however, its value appears limited to the context in which it was created. It would be difficult to comprehend the gravity of the conflict without first understanding the pre-existing friction between the northern and southern states. I do think, however, that current racial issues are indeed reflected in the novel, being that present racial tension is thoroughly rooted in the enslavement of an entire population.Stowes purpose in writing Uncle Toms Cabin, (to develop) the great principles of Christian brotherhood,(p.3) was one that clearly aimed to answer contemporary moral questions. I believe that at the time the novel was written it did have moral significance, not only for Christians, but for members of all faiths as well. I also believe, however, that because of considerable humanitarian efforts over the past century, the moral issues presented in the novel no longer have any vital consequence. The morality of Uncle Toms Cabin addresses a particular and precarious era, and although slavery does still exist today in equally severe forms, it is under entirely different circumstances, with entirely different characteristics. The novel does, however, have tremendous historical value, if not factual, then at least psychological. Representing the emotional sentiments of northern Americans of the period, Uncle Toms Cabin can relate far more about the state of the union than can an accurate historical document. History is created not only by what happened, but also why it happened,...
