# XXXVIII: The Victory explained — Uncle Tom’s Cabin

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

## What happens

Tom endures brutal treatment from Legree, experiencing physical pain and spiritual despair. After a period of darkness, he finds renewed faith and peace, singing hymns that enrage Legree. Cassy, driven to madness by her suffering, attempts to persuade Tom to help her murder Legree and escape, but Tom refuses, urging her to trust in God and love her enemies. His steadfast faith moves Cassy to tears, marking a spiritual victory.

## Themes in this chapter

### Slavery and Inhumanity

Tom's brutal treatment by Legree, including beatings and forced labor despite injuries, exemplifies the dehumanizing violence of slavery.

### Christianity and Morality

Tom's faith sustains him through suffering, and he refuses to murder Legree, instead advocating love and forgiveness, demonstrating Christian moral victory.

### Resistance and Agency

Cassy's plot to kill Legree and escape represents a form of violent resistance, while Tom's passive resistance through faith and refusal to participate in evil also asserts agency.

## Character check-ins

### Uncle Tom

Tom undergoes a spiritual transformation, finding peace and faith despite Legree's abuse, and refuses to participate in violence.

### Simon Legree

Legree torments Tom, beats him, and is enraged by Tom's newfound cheerfulness and faith.

### Cassy

Cassy, driven to despair, plots to kill Legree and escape, but is moved by Tom's faith and weeps when he counsels her to turn to God.

### Sambo

Sambo speaks with Legree about Tom's changed demeanor and recalls a past incident of hunting a runaway slave.

### Emmeline

Emmeline is briefly mentioned as being dejected and seen by Tom when he is summoned to the house.

## Key lines

> When I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, I'll bid farewell to every fear, And wipe my weeping eyes

When I am certain of my heavenly reward, I will no longer be afraid and will stop crying.

_Tom sings this hymn, expressing his faith in eternal salvation despite his earthly suffering._

> No, ye poor, lost soul, that ye mustn't do. The dear, blessed Lord never shed no blood but his own, and that he poured out for us when we was enemies. Lord, help us to follow his steps, and love our enemies.

No, you poor lost soul, you must not do that. The dear blessed Lord only shed his own blood, which he gave for us when we were his enemies. May the Lord help us to follow his example and love our enemies.

_Tom refuses Cassy's plan to murder Legree, urging her to emulate Christ's love and forgiveness._

## Links

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