# XXXV: The Tokens explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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

## What happens

In this chapter, Legree is haunted by a lock of fair hair that Tom had kept, which triggers memories of his pious mother and his past sins. Cassy confronts Legree over his brutality toward Tom, and Legree's superstitious fears are stirred by the token. The chapter explores Legree's internal conflict and the power of memory and conscience.

## Themes in this chapter

### Slavery and Inhumanity

Legree's brutal treatment of Tom and his tyrannical control over Cassy and Emmeline exemplify the dehumanizing violence of slavery.

### Christianity and Morality

Legree's mother's pious influence and the hymn sung by Emmeline highlight the contrast between Christian love and Legree's sinful, guilt-ridden conscience.

### Family and Separation

Legree's rejection of his mother and the memory of her love underscore the theme of familial bonds broken by sin and cruelty.

## Character check-ins

### Simon Legree

Haunted by the memory of his mother and the lock of hair, Legree struggles with guilt and superstition, becoming more brutal yet internally tormented.

### Cassy

Confronts Legree with bitter contempt, defending Tom and asserting her own defiant spirit, showing her influence over Legree.

### Uncle Tom

Though not directly present in the scene, Tom's token (the lock of hair) and his suffering are central to the chapter's events.

### Emmeline

Mentioned as the object of Legree's summons and Cassy's protection, her singing a slave hymn adds to the eerie atmosphere.

### Sambo

Brings the token to Legree, triggering his superstitious outburst, and is dismissed in fear.

## Key lines

> There is a dread, unhallowed necromancy of evil, that turns things sweetest and holiest to phantoms of horror and affright.

Evil has a dark, unholy power that transforms the sweetest and most sacred things into terrifying ghosts.

_This reflects Legree's torment as his mother's love becomes a source of horror and guilt._

> Ye who have wondered to hear, in the same evangel, that God is love, and that God is a consuming fire, see ye not how, to the soul resolved in evil, perfect love is the most fearful torture, the seal and sentence of the direst despair?

For those who are determined to do evil, God's perfect love becomes a terrible punishment, marking them with hopeless despair.

_The narrator comments on how Legree's guilt turns divine love into a source of torment._

> Ah, Legree! that golden tress was charmed; each hair had in it a spell of terror and remorse for thee, and was used by a mightier power to bind thy cruel hands from inflicting uttermost evil on the helpless!

That lock of hair held a magical power over Legree, filling him with fear and regret, and was used by a higher force to restrain his cruelty.

_The token serves as a supernatural check on Legree's violence, linking to themes of conscience and divine justice._

## Links

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