Uncle Tom's Cabin

In the story Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the author Harriet Beecher Stowe refers to stereotypes with most black characters. There were many stereotypes that were offensive. Some are still used in the 20th century towards blacks. Some examples of the stereotypes are Uncle Tom, Pickaninny, and Mammy. The story is very controversial to this day. Some readers are offended by the stereotypes in the book and some people do not find it offensive at all.

Uncle Tom is a stereotype used even in this day and time. In the story of Uncle Tom’s Cabin the Tom character happened to have had a decent master he was considered lucky or blessed. Uncle Tom’s Cabin was considered to be a sermon to teach people that slavery was wrong. Tom seemed to have a humble spirit about him. He was a person that appeared to avoid conflict. He displayed actions of wanting to keep the peace. He worked to his fullest potential to please his master. During that time and also in today’s time the characteristics of Uncle Tom portrayed weakness. Some people feel that having intentions to please the master at all costs mean you are a fool, sucker, over a push over. Uncle Tom seemed to have a forgiving heart which many people felt is ridiculous because of the slavery movement whether the master treated his slaves humane or inhumane. Even in the 20th century, people that go the extra mile to please others in authority or seldom fight for their beliefs are called an “Uncle Tom”.

Pickaninny or “coon” is another stereotype. Some Caucasian Americans would call black children pickanninies. The children which were called this name usually had big eyes, nappy hair, and plats all over their head. They also sometimes had big red lips, wide mouths, white teeth and very dark skin. The character Topsy was called a pickaninny in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Topsy had braids in her hair that were called plats and had dark skin.

She also wore dirty clothes, and was beaten and whipped with anything. She was mistreated like an animal by her previous owner. Topsy was very mischievous and lied because she was afraid of being beaten. Her previous master stereotyped all black children thinking that all black children were born bad. Topsy believed him she was stereotyped as a bad pickaninny. After researching documentaries show that some Jamaicans still call their children pickaninnies. To them, it means a small child and does not have the same meaning as explained in Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Mammy was