# The Stratagem explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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

## What happens

Cassy devises a clever plan to escape from Simon Legree's plantation with Emmeline. Using the superstitious fears of Legree and his slaves, she stages a haunting in the garret and then orchestrates a false chase into the swamp, allowing them to double back and hide in the garret with supplies for a long concealment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Resistance and Agency

Cassy demonstrates active resistance and agency by meticulously planning and executing an escape, using intelligence and manipulation to outwit Legree.

### Freedom and Escape

The entire chapter revolves around the theme of freedom and escape, as Cassy and Emmeline risk everything to flee slavery.

### Hypocrisy of American Society

Cassy's scornful remark about stealing highlights the hypocrisy of a society that condemns theft while tolerating the theft of human lives and labor.

## Character check-ins

### Cassy

Masterminds the escape plan, using psychological manipulation and careful preparation.

### Emmeline

Frightened but follows Cassy's lead; nearly faints during the escape.

### Simon Legree

Falls for Cassy's tricks, organizes a hunt, and is outwitted.

### Sambo

Eagerly joins the chase for reward, embodying the cringing subserviency of slavery.

### Quimbo

Also participates in the hunt, following Legree's orders.

## Key lines

> The way of the wicked is as darkness; he knoweth not at what he stumbleth.

Evil people walk in darkness and cannot see what makes them fall.

_Biblical epigraph foreshadowing Legree's downfall due to his own wickedness._

> I meant to stop your fainting, and I did do it. And now I tell you, Emmeline, you must make up your mind not to faint, let what will come; there's no sort of need of it.

Cassy explains that she threatened Emmeline to prevent her from fainting, and insists that fainting is unnecessary in their dangerous situation.

_Shows Cassy's harsh pragmatism and determination to survive._

> Stealing! said Cassy, with a scornful laugh. They who steal body and soul needn't talk to us. Every one of these bills is stolen—stolen from poor, starving, sweating creatures, who must go to the devil at last, for his profit.

Cassy dismisses Emmeline's concern about stealing money, arguing that Legree's wealth is itself stolen from the labor of enslaved people.

_Highlights the moral inversion of slavery where the master is the real thief._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxix-the-stratagem
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters