# XIV: Evangeline explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

> Chapter companion for Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

## What happens

Tom, now on a steamboat heading to New Orleans, reflects on his separation from his family and finds solace in his Bible. He meets a young girl named Evangeline St. Clare, who takes an interest in him. When Eva falls overboard, Tom rescues her, and her father, Augustine St. Clare, decides to purchase Tom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Freedom and Escape

Tom's Bible reading offers him spiritual escape from his physical bondage and separation from family.

### Family and Separation

Tom mourns the loss of his wife and children, unable to communicate with them across the 'gulf of separation'.

### Class and Power

The transaction between St. Clare and Haley highlights the commodification of human beings and the power dynamics of the slave trade.

## Character check-ins

### Uncle Tom

Tom is on the steamboat, reading his Bible and reflecting on his lost family. He rescues Eva from drowning.

### Eva St. Clare

Eva is a beautiful, ethereal child who befriends Tom and later falls overboard, only to be rescued by him.

### Augustine St. Clare

Eva's father, a wealthy young gentleman, who negotiates with Haley to purchase Tom.

### Haley

The slave trader who is selling Tom to St. Clare.

## Key lines

> Let—not—your—heart—be—troubled. In—my—Father’s—house—are—many—mansions. I—go—to—prepare—a—place—for—you.

Tom reads a Bible verse promising heavenly comfort and reunion.

_Tom finds solace in scripture, believing in a future reunion with his loved ones._

> My papa can buy you, and if he buys you, you will have good times. I mean to ask him, this very day.

Eva promises to ask her father to purchase Tom so he can have a better life.

_Eva's innocent offer reflects her kindness and the power of her father's wealth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-evangeline
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters