Uncle Toms Cabin Research Paper

A historic book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin reached the hands of thousands and the hearts of millions. Inevitably, individuals, particularly those involved in stage performances and the theatre, tried to produce a profit off of Stowe’s novel. In many of these alterations, Stowe’s original antislavery message becomes lost or transformed because of the noticeable and sometimes shocking changes made to the authentic plotline and text. As a result of its popularity and high-respected status, many theatre companies proceed to create dramatic adaptions of Stowe’s revolutionary novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin for some time after its initial debut. More specifically, Eugene Lund, a critic for Century Magazine in New York, examines the major variations between …show more content…
Theatre companies would add these extra alterations, such as the use of bloodhounds, in order to persuade individuals to attend their performances and to intrigue their audiences. For example, one “company tried real bloodhounds but…they looked too innocent and peaceful”; therefore, the director proceeded to “standardize the fiery Danes…and called them bloodhounds” (614). In general, most drama organizations alter the events and plot of Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin to produce more profit and captivate their viewers. Even actors and actresses, “who played in Tom shows, as they were termed professionally, did not usually boast about it in their reminiscences” because the productions veer so far from the book itself (615). Additionally, the strangest abomination of Uncle Tom’s Cabin “was the introduction of…two actors playing the same role, appear[ing] on the stage at the same time” (616). This …show more content…
Conway’s version of Stowe’s classic book. In particular, the New York Daily Times focuses on Eva, describing her as “the exquisite character of little Eva… amounts to nothing” in the Conway’s interpretation (604). In contrast, Stowe describes Eva as “the perfection of childish beauty…a mythic and allegorical being” (188). Clearly, the theatrical productions do not coincide with the text present in Uncle
Tom’s Cabin and do not correctly portray important characters in the novel. Additionally,
Conway alters the scene of the slave auction so much that “its point and moral [were] totally extinguished by converting its close into a ridiculous squabble, and ending it amid shouts of laughter” (605). Therefore, not only did some companies change the content of

Show More

Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

Authorial Voices In Octavia Butler's Kindred

Uncle Toms Cabin Research Paper

Related Documents: Uncle Toms Cabin Research Paper

Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

Authorial Voices In Octavia Butler's Kindred