# XXXI: The Middle Passage explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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

## What happens

Tom is transported by boat up the Red River as the property of Simon Legree, who strips him of his fine clothes, sells his belongings, and threatens him with violence. Tom clings to his faith despite the brutal treatment. The chapter also introduces Emmeline and a mulatto woman, both fellow slaves, who share their sorrows and fears about their new master.

## Themes in this chapter

### Slavery and Inhumanity

Tom is treated as a chattel, stripped of his identity and possessions, and subjected to Legree's brutal threats and dehumanization.

### Resistance and Agency

Tom silently resists Legree's claim to be his 'church,' holding onto his faith and the biblical promise that he belongs to God.

## Character check-ins

### Uncle Tom

Tom is chained and transported on a boat, stripped of his fine clothes and belongings by Legree, but holds onto his Bible and faith.

### Simon Legree

Legree asserts dominance over Tom and the other slaves, boasting of his brutality and threatening them with violence.

### Emmeline

Emmeline is chained to a mulatto woman, horrified by Legree's advances, and shares her sorrow with her fellow slave.

## Key lines

> Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look upon iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?

God is too pure to look upon evil, so why does He allow the wicked to destroy the righteous?

_The epigraph questions divine justice in the face of Tom's suffering._

> I'm your church now! You understand—you've got to be as I say.

I am your new authority; you must obey me completely.

_Legree asserts total control over Tom, replacing his religious faith with brute force._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxi-the-middle-passage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters