Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin

by

Harriet Beecher Stowe

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Uncle Tom's Cabin: Chapter 41 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
George Shelby, Jr., arrives at the Legree plantation. His father has recently passed away, Mrs. Shelby is now manager of the estate, and after hearing only that Tom has been sold at public auction, George headed south to inquire after him. The search took several months. George now asks Legree where Tom can be found. Legree points to the shed, where Tom is dying.
Just as George Shelby, Jr., arrived late when Tom was being sold, and only saw him being carted away, he arrives too late to save Tom from his mortal injuries.
Themes
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Cassy sneaks out from the garret, briefly, to hear about Tom and breaks down crying—her faith is Jesus is somewhat restored. George meets with Tom, who is greatly pleased that George has remembered him, and George begs that Tom get better. Tom says not to worry—he is going to a finer place. Tom asks George not to mention to Chloe his current condition.
Again, Tom’s concerns are only the concerns of others. He is happy that George is healthy and robust, and he does not wish to worry Chloe with news of his terrible demise.
Themes
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George curses Legree but Tom says he must not do so. Tom passes away, and George, Sambo, and Quimbo prepare to bury him, since Legree says he “does not sell dead slaves.” George tells Legree he will take up the matter in the courts. Legree replies that, since there are no white witnesses, the case would not stand up. The three bury Tom on a low hill in an unmarked grave. Sambo and Quimbo ask for George to buy them from Legree, but George says he cannot and promises to do what is in his power, as one man, to help the cause of slaves.
Tom asks that George not condemn the sinner, just as the Quakers promise that they would help a sinner just as soon as they would help an escaping slave. This is Christian love in action. George does what he can to bury Tom, but Tom’s true memorial is found back in Kentucky, at the cabin that was the center of life at the Selby plantation.
Themes
Slavery and Race Theme Icon
Christianity and Christian Charity Theme Icon
Home Theme Icon
Freedom Theme Icon