Gender Relations In Uncle Tom's Cabin - Essay Example

?Introduction The ideologies which are linked to identity and relationships are prominent in different books, specifically because of the way that they create different philosophies based on the surrounding environment. When looking at gender relations, it is noted that a specific identity and set of boundaries are created among those in different novels. In Uncle Tom’s Cabin there is a specific approach to the gender relations that occur and the concepts of suppression and boundaries. The individuals are defined and actions take place according to the gender identity in which one holds. This creates one of the main conflicts throughout the book while leading to boundaries that take place through the identity that is a part of the book. The concept of gender identity and relationships then builds a different component to understanding the ideas of suppression that came from this time frame. Identifying Gender The first concept which is noted in Uncle Tom’s Cabin is the relationship of gender identity to the main characters. The idea of gender identity is one that is based on the expectations that one should have in society and the place that one should hold according to their gender. The concept of identity is seen with how women look at men and the role that women should hold in life. For instance, when Tom starts thinking about his mother, Eliza, he justifies his actions of leaving her. This is done specifically because of the gender identity that Ezra is supposed to have and which he believes she doesn’t maintain. “Had his wife been a whole woman, she might yet have done something – as women can – to mend the broken threads of life, and weave again in a tissue of brightness” (Stowe, 177). This main statement is one that then leads Tom to finding a younger and more beautiful woman that he can relate to because his wife was not able to create the right response. This shows the concept of gender identity with the relationship to what women and men should do within a specific setting. The concepts which were related to women and the gender identity which they carried were furthered with women that were wives as well as the identity of being a mother. This created even more boundaries with those in the book, specifically because of the mother’s obligations to a child as well as how they were looked on as slaves. The motherly instincts and the need to create a specific space for a child were some of the concepts created with the gender identity that was approached throughout the book. The concept of the mother’s responsibilities is what creates the main identity of gender throughout the book, specifically with the role of women between the mother and daughter and what was expected in the family. “My mother had brought her up, and trained her as carefully, almost, as a daughter. She could read and write, emborider and sew, beautifully; and was a beautiful singer” (Stowe, 500). Phrases such as these show the identity of the mother throughout the book as well as the boundaries created with how a mother should behave toward any child. More important, it shows the gender identity that is passed to children, specifically with the expectations which they held and were supposed to do throughout life. The gender identity of men throughout the book was another aspect that was defined by the narrator. The identity of men was divided by the concept of slavery as well as those which held a certain amount of power over individuals that were in slavery. The men that had slaves were looked at as powerful and able to take a specific position above other men. The slaves that were men and fathers also carried a specific symbol of status as a part of their identity. This was based on the stature which they held themselves with. If a man was able to show the best of being a slave, then it was more likely that they would be able to care for their family while ensuring that there were different needs which were met. For instance, when Tom is being sold to slavery, he recognizes that out of 200 men, there is the need to stand out to be a part of the best owner. “And if you should ever be under the necessity, sir, of selecting, out of two hundred men, one who was to become your absolute owner and disposer, you would, perhaps, realize, just as Tom did, how few there were that you would feel comfortable in being made over to” (Stowe, 391). This particular concept shows the ideology of power that was a part of the men and the gender identity that they held, as well as the lack of power that the slaves held toward the men that were being sold. For Tom, this then linked to the need to create more options to stand out from the rest to be considered for the right alternatives. Boundaries in Gender The concept of identity that is a part of Uncle Tom’s Cabin is one that is expanded specifically because of the boundaries that take place from identity. With the different roles of gender that are within the book are also boundaries that are placed. These are based on social definitions that are a part of society and which combine with the needs that are a part of those within society. The boundaries that are created are based on what the roles and duties are of each of the genders as well as how this associates with the main story line. The concept of identity is one which is shown through family lineage, concepts relating to one’s life path and the expectations which both genders had toward the main way in which they associated with others in society. This created a different in how many looked at the roles of gender and what the expectations were in terms of boundaries. The concept of boundaries is one that is furthered according to social status and how this relates to the roles which one had. There are several instances where the role of husband and wife or the differences between the different family members are described. This creates boundaries between what each of the individual’s should do and what is expected with those that are in the household. These particular concepts are adding in different approaches to how one should interact with those of the opposite gender. For instance, when Marie is speaking about the duties between gender, she states “I brought my own property and servants into the connection, when I married St. Clare, and I am legally entitled to manage them my own way…. Marie seemed wonderfully supported, always, when she got upon this topic, and she now opened her eyes, and seemed quite to forget her languor” (Stowe, 199). In this instance, Marie sets apart her role in terms of gender and of being married to St. Clare. She combines this with forgetting her languor, specifically which is based on how a woman should speak and what the association are with the attitude and actions which a wife and woman should carry. This demonstrates the boundaries that are a part of being a part of the time frame while having the gender boundaries that are a part of the narration. Relationships and Gender The boundaries and identity that is a part of Uncle Tom’s Cabin is based on the relationships and gender that are a part of the book. It is this particular concept that creates the specific dynamics between the characters and the way in which they approach each other. The first concept which is seen is with Eliza and her station as a woman and as a slave. This causes her to be separated and carry a specific identity while leading to one of the main conflicts with Tom throughout the story. This begins with the marriage being between Eliza and a white man and the relationship which forms from this leading to boundaries and the breaking of identity. This comes with the gaps in both gender and in race. “Don’t you know a slave can’t be married? There is no law in this country for that; I can’t hold you for my wife, if he chooses to be a part of us” (Stowe, 21). This particular phrase is what holds the identity of Tom and with the gender relationships created. The boundary which is associated with this is separated both by the gender and the relationship between colors that is broken and still has to hold a specific space in society. The relationships that are created also move into the boundaries between the relationships that Tom has and the way in which this directs him into different conflicts. An example of this is with his relationship to Eva and how this links to specific roles and conflicts in the story. The relationship dynamics are noted to be in conflict first because there is an association between the roles which both have to play in society, specifically which separates them. However, there is also a connection between both that leads them into a different type of relationship that tries to break down the boundaries of gender that is noted from the roles in the rest of the book. “The friendship between Tom and Eva had grown with the child’s growth. It would be hard to say what place she held in the soft, impressible heart of her faithful attendant. He loved her as something frail and earthly, yet almost worshipped her as something heavenly and divine” (Stowe, 300). The dynamics that are noted between Eva and Tom is one that then creates an approach that questions the different boundaries in society and what each of the gender relations do to create divisions between identity. Tom notes this with the love he has for Eva as well as the way in which this is narrated to others. This particular concept then links to a different understanding of the dynamics in relationships and what occurs when the gender identity and boundaries don’t exist. The overall concept that is created with relationships is one that is noted to be a question of the social and cultural standards as well as the individual differences with this. The social and cultural concepts are based on identity and roles that create divisions and boundaries between the characters. The relationships between slaves, slave masters and to the slave and others are combined to create a different understanding of what is expected among those who are in society and which accept the boundaries. These are then questioned through the other relationships that are created with boundary. This occurs with concepts such as how each fit together with specific needs as well as what different dynamics with gender relationships could occur. By showing these two differences, there is the ability to understand more about the idea of relationships, boundaries and gender identity and the conflicts which occur. At the same time, there is the ability to understand and develop more alternatives with the concepts of division of gender identity and the conflicts which were a part of this. Conclusion The different approaches to gender identity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin create a deeper understanding to what is required with the different approaches to gender relationships. The concepts which are approached first begin with the placement of gender. This is divided by standards that are in society, such as the role of women and men and how these are approached with different settings. The narrator continues this to note that the gender identity which is created and accepted in society is one which creates boundaries and divisions among individuals and leads into a specific set of misunderstandings and conflicts based on these boundaries. The relationships that are presented and the gender identity that is associated with this then becomes linked specifically to the way in which each of the relationships present themselves. The result is the understanding of gender relationships that come from individual perspectives as well as the expectations in society. With this, the narrator is able to identify what the meaning of gender is while building a social and cultural standard around the roles that are presented. Works Cited Stowe, Harriet Beecher. Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Penguin Books: New York, 2000. Read More