# XXI: Kentuck explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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

## What happens

Back at the Shelby farm in Kentucky, Mr. and Mrs. Shelby discuss the family's financial troubles and the possibility of raising money to redeem Uncle Tom. Aunt Chloe proposes to hire herself out as a pastry cook in Louisville to earn wages toward Tom's freedom, and Mrs. Shelby agrees to support her plan.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Separation

Aunt Chloe's willingness to leave her children and work far from home underscores the painful separations forced by slavery, even as she hopes to reunite with her husband Tom.

### Freedom and Escape

The chapter focuses on the concrete plan to earn money for Tom's redemption, highlighting the economic and personal struggle for freedom within the system of slavery.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Shelby

Discusses finances with his wife, dismisses her business acumen, and initially suggests breaking the promise to redeem Tom.

### Mrs. Shelby

Determined to honor her promise to Tom and Chloe, she considers teaching music to raise money and supports Chloe's plan to work in Louisville.

### Aunt Chloe

Proposes to hire herself out as a confectioner in Louisville to earn money for Tom's redemption, showing resourcefulness and devotion.

### George Shelby

Young Master George agrees to write a letter to Uncle Tom about the plan and shows affection for Aunt Chloe.

## Key lines

> It's like jumping from one bog to another, all through a swamp; borrow of one to pay another, and then borrow of another to pay one—and these confounded notes falling due before a man has time to smoke a cigar and turn round—dunning letters and dunning messages—all scamper and hurry-scurry.

Mr. Shelby describes his financial troubles as a cycle of borrowing from one creditor to pay another, with debts constantly coming due and no time to rest.

_Mr. Shelby uses a vivid metaphor to explain his ongoing debt problems to his wife._

> Degrade! would it degrade me as much as to break my faith with the helpless? No, indeed!

Mrs. Shelby argues that teaching music to earn money is not degrading compared to breaking a promise to a helpless enslaved person.

_Mrs. Shelby defends her willingness to work for Tom's redemption against her husband's objection that it would lower her social standing._

> I wouldn't hear to Missis' givin lessons nor nothin. Mas'r's quite right in dat ar;—'t wouldn't do, no ways. I hope none our family ever be brought to dat ar, while I's got hands.

Aunt Chloe insists that Mrs. Shelby should not have to teach music for money, saying she would rather work herself to preserve the family's honor.

_Chloe shows pride in her family and a desire to protect her mistress from perceived degradation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi-kentuck
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters