Uncle Tom's Cabin Book Report

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, continues to be the most powerful literary achievement in the history of American literature.

I. Stowe’s novel demonstrated the power of literature to make social and political changes.
• Literary heritage of reform literature
• Literary legacy extending to present time
• Political change
• Social change
• Feminist legacy
  

II. Both historical and contemporary critics found much to praise and to condemn in Uncle Tom’s Cabin; thereby illustrating its controversial yet vital place in American literature.

• Historical reception
• Twentieth-century critics
• Timelessness of the novel

The power of the novel can be seen in the social and political impact on society; the intense critical foment it created, both positive and negative; and in its revival once again in contemporary literary criticism. Though many critics held that Stowe’s seminal work was specific and particular only to the condition of slavery and therefore was no longer important after the abolition of slavery, it is clear that Stowe’s message is timeless and both her literary and social contributions to literature deserve great attention and reevaluation for their power to unmask the dichotomies in society that punish the weak and favor those who hold political and social power; thus, Stowe’s novel about slavery also reveals inequality not only between master and slave, but also between male and female, such that Uncle Tom’s Cabin can also be seen as a pivotal point in feminist literature.

Uncle Tom's Cabin Book Reviews from Paper Masters

A book report typically begins by identifying the author, title of book and publishing details in the introduction. Then a student should continue with the book report by stating the thesis or controlling idea of the book. Typically, in a book report, the first paragraph is the summary of events that develop the thesis. In the body of the report, a student should include the key characters and concepts of at least three characters or personalities. Finally, end with a conclusion of at least 1/2 page with final thoughts about the book and an interesting ending.