Milne, Colin R., A dream caused by the perusal of Mrs. H. Beecher Stowe's popular work Uncle Tom's Cabin / litho. of C. R. Milne, Louisville, KY. , ca. 1853. [Louisville, Ky.:J. C. FrostJ.C. Frost & G.W. Hall, publishers, Louisville, KY] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2004665375/.
This image provides a visual representation of the anti-abolitionist sentiments in the United States during the mid-nineteenth century. It shows how the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin created a strong response and fueled the heated debate over slavery. It can be an important tool for analyzing sentiments about slavery—especially when paired with images showing other works of propaganda from the Civil War a few years later.
Because this image can be interpreted as a piece of political propaganda, students can learn to identify and analyze the techniques used in political cartoons to sway public opinion. The image reflects the social and cultural anxieties surrounding slavery. It reveals the fears and prejudices some white southerners held about the consequences of abolition.
This is an imaginative and biting satire of Harriet Beecher Stowe and her recently published anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. Printed serially beginning in June 1851, Beecher’s novel first appeared in book form in 1852. This artist concocted a chaotic, nightmarish vision, where armies of demons and other monsters battle in a barren desert setting reminiscent of the infernal visions of Hieronymus Bosch and Jacques Callot. (Murrell points out, in fact, that the plate borrows its central motif—an enormous flying demon—from Callot's Temptation of St. Anthony.) In the center a leering Black man dressed as a Quaker holds a flag reading "Women of England To The Rescue." To the left, near the mouth of a cave marked "Underground Railway," Mrs. Stowe is harassed by demons. She holds up a book that reads, "Uncle Tom's Cabin, I Love the Blacks." Another woman (or perhaps Mrs. Stowe again) rides in a parade of demons on the right. In the distance, several monsters feed copies of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" to a blazing fire.
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, moved from serial publication in The National Era to a full novel published in 1852. The novel sold over 300,000 in the first three months of publication. It is reported that while living in Cincinnati, Beecher Stowe met fugitive slaves through her connections to the Underground Railroad and this was the inspiration behind the story. At the time of publication, Beecher Stowe drew a lot of controversy and saw contempt for her novel. Although some people saw this novel as a catalyst for the freeing of enslaved people, others saw it as a threat to their way of life. There was also the issue of the depiction of Black people in the story. Some people praised Beecher Stowe’s portrayal of Black people while others found her work full of racist stereotypes. To this day, Uncle Tom’s Cabin remains a highly controversial read.
C.R. Milne’s lithograph shows a nightmarish scene in response to Stowe’s article and is believed to have been created within a year of the novel’s publication date. The image shows an army of monsters and demons engaged in battle in a dystopian America. The focal point of the image includes a Black man holding a flag that reads “Women of England to the Rescue.” Copies of Uncle Tom’s Cabin are being lit on fire. Beecher Stowe also is shown being attacked by demons near the mouth of a cave, titled “Underground Railroad,” while holding a book titled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin, I Love Blacks.” The image also shows the demons engaged in lewd and sexual acts.
The image could be interpreted as demons coming forth to take over the world because the North was taking away slavery, which was considered a God-given institution by some in the South. By removing slavery, the demons have come to Earth to punish the people. Alternatively, the demons could represent the North stripping the pious South of their God-given institution.
- What are some of the main elements in the image?
- How are different figures and symbols arranged in the image?
- How do these symbols relate to the themes of slavery, abolition, and the social and political climate of the time?
- What are the potential fears and anxieties reflected in this image?
- Who is the intended audience for this image?
- How does the use of imagery and symbolism in political discourse continue to shape public opinion today?
New Mexico Common Core Standards
RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
- Since this is an image, students will use inference to determine the artist’s meaning using context clues in the image.
RI.11012.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
- This image provides an alternative way to engage with slavery, abolition, and Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
RH.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting insights gained from specific details to an understanding of the text as a whole.
- This lithograph, while a primary source of the art of the 1850s, is an excellent secondary source to use in comparison to the primary source of the novel itself, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
RH.11-12.5 Analyze in detail how a complex primary source is structured, including how key sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to the whole.
- Although this is an image, students will analyze it in detail, paying special attention to the structure of the image and how smaller pieces tell the overall story.
- Have students analyze the image for symbolism, exaggeration, and caricature. Students can identify the different figures in this image and work to interpret their meaning within the context of the debate over slavery. Using the LOC Analysis Tool is one way to approach this activity.
- Students can research the historical context of the image, including the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, the rise of the abolitionist movement, and the political climate at the time. This could lead to a student debate on the pros and cons of abolition. In the debate, students should consider the perspectives of abolitionists and anti-abolitionists.
- Have students create their own satirical pieces or a political cartoon on a contemporary issue.
- This image could pair well with Octavia Butler's novel Kindred. This novel explores themes of the dehumanization of enslaved people and the impact of history on the present. Since the protagonist has a complicated relationship with the antagonist, the novel allows for a more nuanced exploration of the institution of slavery and the complexities of race in America.
- This image may invite objection from parents and administrators because of its subject matter. Slavery is a sensitive topic in American history, and some may worry about the message using this image to teach about slavery would send to students. Others may object due to their stance on The Confederate army and either viewpoint of the Confederacy as heroes or villains in American History. As noted, many topics aligned with the Civil War bring up a myriad of points of view in a country still divided on many of these.
- The strong imagery in this cartoon could be another potential challenge. There are religious overtones that some families or administrators may not agree with. The imagery also includes violence and horror which students can be sensitive to.
Links to resources for approaching those topics
- Teaching Hard History: American Slavery: Resource guide to teaching about American slavery including videos from students, other primary sources, teaching tools, and professional development.
- 9 Resources for Teaching about Slavery: An article outlining nine resources to help educators talk about race and slavery. The list includes a resource guide from the Smithsonian which gives educators tools to talk about race in the classroom.
- Teaching About the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade: Principles to Adopt, Pitfalls to Avoid: A printable PDF teaching guide for teaching about the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.
- Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916: Abraham Lincoln, Tuesday, July 22, 1862 (Preliminary Draft of Emancipation Proclamation): The first draft of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation shows his intention to free all enslaved people with compensation. He also discusses the reunification of the States.
- The Creation of “Amazing Grace”: Although there is no direct link between the creation of this song and the abolition of slavery in England, the creator of the hymn, John Newton, had an interesting journey from slave trader to abolitionist and played a large role in the abolition of slavery in England. The song has become a song of freedom in many social movements. This resource discusses Newton’s journey while linking life events to the lyrics of the song.
- Slavery in America: A Resource Guide: A research guide curated by the Library of Congress that includes more primary sources, digital resources, print resources, and links to external websites.
- Abolitionist Strategies Worksheet: A downloadable graphic organizer students can use to consider and debate three strategies available to abolitionists in the 1850s.