which are related to the theory used to answer the problem formulation in this study. The fifth step was answering the problem formulation by analyzing Tom’s
character and his struggle to get freedom. The last step was formulating the conclusion of the analysis, and giving some suggestions for the future researchers
and for the teaching learning activities using Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS
The answers to the problems are presented in this chapter. This chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is to answer the first question that is how the
character of Tom is portrayed in Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The second part is, then, to answer the second question that is how Tom struggles to get freedom in
Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
A. The Portrayal of Tom’s Character
Tom is one of the characters who are presented in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The use of his name in the novel title indicates that he is the centre of the story.
He is important and become the focus of the whole story. According to Abrams, such kind of character is called main or major character. He is also considered as
protagonist character, because Tom’s motivation and history are most fully established more vivid than the other characters.
1. Physical Appearance and Personal Description
Tom’s physical appearance is described by using personal description. His physical appearance is as follows: “Tom is a large man, broad-chested,
powerfully-made man, of a full glossy black, and a face whose truly African features were characterised by an expression of grave and steady good sense,
united with much kindliness and benevolence” 23. Tom is indeed a strong man, PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
that can be seen from his appearance. The broad-chested feature of Tom is mentioned one more time in the novel 158, which emphasizes his strength and
well-built body. In contrast, he is a loving person, a kind person inside, which is reflected on his face.
Tom is an afro-American slave who is forced by condition to shift from one owner to another owner. Firstly he is a slave on the Shelby farm in Kentucky.
He lives in a cabin on the farm with his wife Chloe and their two children. Because of Mr. Shelby’s large debt to Mr. Haley, he had to sell Tom to Mr.
Haley, a rude slave trader. Then, he is sold to Augustine St. Clare and brought to Louisiana. In St.
Clare’s home, he grows increasingly invaluable to the family and he also shares faith with St. Clare’s daughter, Eva. Eva’s death moves St. Clare to set Tom free.
However, St. Clare’s tragic death leaves Tom at the hands of his selfish wife, Marie. Tom is then sold to the brutal Simon Legree. This is where his faith is
nearly broken, but he endures the trial. Although Tom eventually dies, his faith is unshaken.
2. Personal Characteristics
Murphy describes nine ways to know the characteristic and personality of a character in the novel. Some of them are applied to analyze Tom’s character. In
the novel, Tom is portrayed as: PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
a. Religious Tom is a believer, he believes in God with all his heart and soul. Not only
does he practice his religion for granted, but he also shows his belief deeply in his everyday life. Despite the hard and difficult life that he experiences, he manages
to maintain his good heart thanks to the Religion values that he holds. He believes that God never leaves him and that being faithful to God means he walks to glory.
This is where Tom proves himself that he has the faith, and is a true believer. His heart does not become bitter, even under the worst condition, because he
preserves it by praying to God, reading the Bible, and holding a prayer meeting. The prayer-meeting at Uncle Toms had, in the order of hymn-singing,
been protracted to a very late hour; and as Uncle Tom had indulged himself in a few lengthy solos afterwards, the consequence was, that,
although it was now between twelve and one oclock, he and his worthy helpmeet were not yet asleep. 40
Even though he learns to read late in his life from Master George, he reads
his Bible every night. In Chapter IV of the novel, when Tom prays, his companions respect him, seeing him as a spiritually matured man. His words are
beyond his education. It seems like he is being guided by the God. … Nothing could exceed the touching simplicity, the childlike earnestness,
of his prayer, enriched with the language of Scripture, which seemed so entirely to have wrought itself into his being, as to have become a part of
himself, and to drop from his lips unconsciously; in the language of a pious old negro, he “prayed right up.”… 32
Both quotations mentioned above use direct comment to show Tom’s character. The author describes Tom’s character directly using his words and comments.
Tom believes that God is good and mighty. God is very good to people, because He creates all men are equal to others. God is mighty too, because He is
