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Cover of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Young Folks' Edition

Uncle Tom's Cabin, Young Folks' Edition

by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896)

  • Free to read
  • 1 hour to read
  • 19 chapters
  • Reading level: 5th grade

"Uncle Tom's Cabin, Young Folks' Edition" by Harriet Beecher Stowe is a historical novel written during the mid-19th century, specifically in the context of America's pre-Civil War tensions surrounding slavery. The book explores the moral implications of slavery, following its impact on both enslaved individuals and their owners, while advocating for the abolition of slavery. The story revolves around Uncle Tom, a devout and dignified enslaved man who is sold from his family and master, Mr. Shelby, to a cruel trader named Legree. As Tom experiences and witnesses the harsh realities of slavery, two parallel narratives emerge: the struggles of Eliza, a mother who escapes with her son Harry to prevent his sale, and the plight of Tom as he faces the brutality of his new master. Throughout their journeys, themes of sacrifice, faith, and the inherent humanity of enslaved people are poignantly illustrated. The book not only highlights the suffering of individuals under an oppressive system but also seeks to evoke empathy and inspire social change among its readers.

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  • Slavery
  • Didactic fiction
  • Political fiction
  • Master and servant
  • African Americans
  • Southern States
  • Fugitive slaves
  • Plantation life

Read the opening

Chapter I

UNCLE TOM AND LITTLE HARRY ARE SOLD

Very many years ago, instead of having servants to wait upon them and work for them, people used to have slaves. These slaves were paid no wages. Their masters gave them only food and clothes in return for their work.

When any one wanted servants he went to market to buy them, just as nowadays we buy horses and cows, or even tables and chairs.

If the poor slaves were bought by kind people they would be quite happy. Then they would work willingly for their masters and mistresses, and even love them. But very often cruel people bought slaves. These cruel people used to beat them and be unkind to them in many other ways.

It was very wicked to buy and sell human beings as if they were cattle. Yet Christian people did it, and many who were good and kind otherwise thought there was no wrong in being cruel to their poor slaves. 'They are only black people,' they said to themselves. 'Black people do not feel things as we do.' That was not kind, as black people suffer pain just in the same way as white people do.

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Contents

  1. Chapter I
  2. Chapter II
  3. Chapter III
  4. Chapter IV
  5. Chapter V
  6. Chapter VI
  7. Chapter VII
  8. Chapter VIII
  9. Chapter IX
  10. Chapter X
  11. Chapter XII
  12. Chapter XIII
  13. Chapter XIV
  14. Chapter XV
  15. Chapter XVI
  16. Chapter XVII
  17. Chapter XVIII
  18. Chapter XIX
  19. Chapter XX

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About this edition

This free edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Young Folks' Edition by Harriet Beecher Stowe comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #11171, released 2004-02-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Children & Young Adult Reading, American Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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