Merry Christmas!

Comments below are nearing the double-digits! I hope you all enjoy a joyful Christmas with your families.

And how is Stowe coming?

Is anyone reading fun books over break? I'm planning to read Eragon, and I've been rereading The Chronicles of Narnia--I'm currently on my favorite The Silver Chair. I also have plenty of school reading to do.

Stowe: A few observations

1. I think Stowe is racist.

-She repeatedly generalizes about Africans and Anglo-Saxons. "...a gentle attitude so common to their race", or in the last chapter George states the he has "hot and angry Anglo Saxon blood".

-While the slaves become Christians as soon as they are shown love and kindness (George, Topsy, Cassy, ect.), Tom Loker doesn't change one whit under pretty much the same circumstances.

2. I think Stowe is a feminist.

-Notice that the only bad woman is Mari St. Clare, a slave holder, while the other women are all good and the husbands are the ones who are a bit off (Mr. Bird and Mr. Shelby). Even Simon Legree's mother was a devout Christian.

3. I think Stowe is a Communist.

-Notice St. Clare's speeches to Miss Ophelia in Chapter 18 and to his brother in Chapter 23. There are definite Marxist overtones about the lower classes rising and defeating the oppressors. This just goes to show that Marx wasn't the only one with these ideas.

4. Because of these biases I believe we should look elsewhere for a good account of slavery.

Since you say I never post...
Here's a picture of my first Christmas tree. Look closely and you can see my cat, Lydia, inspecting it.

Do we even have anything to argue about this time?? I can't remember, I guess we can just debate in depth issues like,

• Were the Shelby's Christians?
• Was Uncle Tom a Christian?
• Was Goerge's decision to run a away biblical?
• What about Eliza's decision?
• Who is cooler, Sam or Andy?
• Who can get all the reading done first?
• Why does Heather's book smell the best?
• or better yet...who's book smells the best?
• which character's dialogue was the hardest to read...

anyway, take a stab at any of these admirable topics, or none at all, or make up your own...It's your choice...

enjoy

Uncle Tom's Cabin--UPDATE

All, since it has taken some folks a few days to get the book, please just read up till the end of chapter eight by Tuesday. If you're feeling ambitious, make a list of the themes that you're seeing so far (+100 super bonus points).

So, NO WRITTEN HOMEWORK!

Let the debate begin. I've included a picture of Stowe, our esteemed author, for your consideration.