Personal Characteristics The Portrayal of Tom’s Character
able to wipe the sufferings of mankind and replace it with glory, if only the mankind is faithful and devoted. For Tom himself, God is very good to him. He
has given him a nice family, valuable friends, the life and experience that make him stronger and more pious. Therefore, Tom is faithful and devoted to God. The
suffering that he experiences is something that he has to endure with full of sincerity. Tom believes that glory awaits him. In his everyday life, in his
relationship with his family, friends, and master, what he does and says is for the glory of the Lord.
“Pray for them that spitefully use you, the good book says, says Tom. “Pray for em said Aunt Chloe; Lor, its too tough I cant pray for
em.” “Its natur, Chloe, and natur s strong, said Tom, but the Lords grace
is stronger; … 58
Here, Tom’s character is elaborated through speech. The conversation between Tom and Chloe reveals Tom’s character that he is religious and pious.
His knowledge and experience about Religion values are undoubtedly considered remarkable. Therefore, his friends often ask for his encouragement
when they are at the lowest condition. They believe that his piety gives him the heart, the wisdom and the ability to spread the goodness of the Lord through his
words and deeds 325-327. People look up to him and consider him as a Christian teacher. It shows how close he is to God, how he is blessed. To his
friends, he is an individual that stands very close to God, and this makes him His instrument to help them.
So, from the author’s direct comment and Tom’s speech, we can see that Tom is religious.
b. Trustworthy Throughout the novel, his friends and some of his masters trust him and
ask for his opinion, because he is trustworthy. One of his masters, Augustine St. Clare, is willing to share his grief of losing his daughter, Eva, with Tom. They
even have a discussion about how to believe in God and the Bible. He listens to what Tom says that the only thing needed is to pray. He then asks Tom to pray for
him and he is moved by the prayer. If Masr would only pray
… I would, Tom, if there was anybody there when I pray; but its all
speaking unto nothing, when I do. But come, Tom, you pray now, and show me how.
Toms heart was full; he poured it out in prayer, like waters that have been long suppressed. One thing was plain enough; Tom thought there was
somebody to hear, whether there were or not. In fact, St. Clare felt himself borne, on the tide of his faith and feeling, almost to the gates of that
heaven he seemed so vividly to conceive. It seemed to bring him nearer to Eva. 327
Tom’s character is described through speech. The conversation between Tom and
St. Clare gives an insight that Tom is trustworthy. Tom is really a trustworthy person, because even Mr. Haley, the mean
slave trader finally gives him his trust. Tom is allowed to walk around the boat without his feet being chained. At first, Haley has to watch him during the day,
and keep his feet chained during the night. However, he takes away the chain from Tom’s feet eventually, although Tom deserves it. Haley is convinced that
Tom will not try to run away. At first he had watched him narrowly through the day, and never allowed
him to sleep at night unfettered; but the uncomplaining patience and PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
apparent contentment of Toms manner led him gradually to discontinue these restraints, and for some time Tom had enjoyed a sort of parole of
honor, being permitted to come and go freely where he pleased on the boat. 153
Once again, Tom’s character is described using direct comment. The author decided to use his words to show that Tom is trustworthy.
So, from Tom’s speech and the author’s direct comment, we conclude that Tom is trustworthy.
c. Honest Tom is an honest person. Honesty is a rare trait to find among slaves and
Tom owns it. Mr. Shelby admits that Tom is not like any other slaves, even any other people. He is special, in a way that a good worker should be: “steady,
honest, capable, manages my whole farm like a clock. 2” Tom always completes his duty without complaining.
Why, the fact is, Haley, Tom is an uncommon fellow; he is certainly worth that sum anywhere,--steady, honest, capable, manages my whole
farm like a clock. …
Well, Toms got the real article, if ever a fellow had, rejoined the other. Why, last fall, I let him go to Cincinnati alone, to do business for me, and
bring home five hundred dollars. 2
Tom’s character here is described by using conversation of others. Mr. Shelby
tries to convince Mr. Haley that Tom is honest by mentioning it in their conversation. Even though Tom has the chance to take the money and flee to
Canada, he returns to Mr. Shelby after doing his duty, because he is simply an honest person. He cannot violate his conscience to do the right thing before God.
Tom demonstrates his honesty once more when he is trusted by St. Clare to manage the family financial matters.
Trusted to an unlimited extent by a careless master, who handed him a bill without looking at it, and pocketed the change without counting it,
Tom had every facility and temptation to dishonesty; and nothing but an impregnable simplicity of nature, strengthened by Christian faith, could
have kept him from it. But, to that nature, the very unbounded trust reposed in him was bond and seal for the most scrupulous accuracy. 218
Tom’s character is described through direct comment by the author. The author writes that Tom has every possibility for dishonesty and yet, Tom chooses to stay
honest. Augustine St. Clare admits that Tom is an honest person. Although no
other slaves are honest, St. Clare can see Tom’s honesty. “… For my part, I dont see how they can be honest. Such a fellow as Tom, here, is,--is a moral miracle”
229 Tom’s character here is described as seen by another, in this case by Augustine St. Clare.
So, from the conversation of others, the author’s direct comment and how Tom is seen by another character, we can see that Tom is honest.
d. Reliable Tom is reliable. His friends and his masters can depend on him. It is
proven from the responsibility that his masters give him. For example, Mr. Shelby gives him the responsibility to be the head servant to manage his farm, because he
is considered capable to do it. Tom’s character is described through conversation PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
of others. In this case, Mr. Shelby is having a conversation with Mr. Haley about Tom.
“… Ive trusted him, since then, with everything I have,--money, house, horses,--and let him come and go round the country; and I always found
him true and square in everything.” 2
Tom proves it again to his future master, Mr. St. Clare that he can rely on Tom. Tom voluntarily saves Eva St. Clare when she falls off the boat. Tom’s
action gives an impression that he is reliable. He does that without being ordered, which encourages St. Clare to buy Tom.
Tom was standing just under her on the lower deck, as she fell. He saw her strike the water, and sink, and was after her in a moment. A broad-
chested, strong-armed fellow, it was nothing for him to keep afloat in the water, till, in a moment or two the child rose to the surface, and he caught
her in his arms, and, swimming with her to the boat-side, handed her up, …. 158
As time goes by, St. Clare finds Tom to be a smart and reliable person that St. Clare hands Tom the family business management.
St. Clare at first employed him occasionally; but, struck with his soundness of mind and good business capacity, he confided in him more
and more, till gradually all the marketing and providing for the family were entrusted to him. 218
With the direct comment of the author, Tom’s reliability can be acknowledged. What St. Clare hands Tom shows that Tom is a reliable person.
So, from the conversation of other characters and the author’s direct comment, we can conclude that Tom is reliable.
e. Compassionate Tom cannot see other people’s suffering. In spite of his tough appearance,
he has a gentle loving heart. He chooses to be a good and loving person, because his life is based on love that he learns from God in His holy Book. The most
important thing to live in God is to love. Most astonishingly, he is willing to give himself away to save other people.
… but you heard what she said If I must be sold, or all the people on the place, and everything go to rack, why, let me be sold. I spose I can bar it
as well as any on em, ... Its better for me alone to go, than to break up the place and sell all. 41
Tom’s speech shows his character that he is a compassionate person. He cannot
see other people suffer. Tom pities the unfortunate people and helps them kindly. For instance, he
helps St. Clare into bed when he returns home drunk. He pities what happens to his master. He worries about St. Clare and feels sad that he has not been good to
himself and treated himself with respect. Last night, between one and two, I thought so. I studied upon the
matter then. Masr isnt good to himself. …
O, thats all, is it? he said, gaily. All said Tom, turning suddenly round and falling on his knees. O, my
dear young Masr; Im fraid it will be loss of all--all--body and soul. The good Book says, it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder my
dear Masr
Toms voice choked, and the tears ran down his cheeks. You poor, silly fool said St. Clare, with tears in his own eyes. Get
up, Tom. Im not worth crying over. But Tom wouldnt rise, and looked imploring. 220
Tom’s character can be concluded from his speech when he has a conversation with St. Clare. Tom pities St. Clare for not being good to himself,
which shows how compassionate Tom is. For Tom, a person is valuable because one must value himself as he is
created from the image of God. Therefore, any disrespect or pitying one self is a disgrace to God. Moreover, a person’s body is the house of God. Thus when St.
Clare gets home drunk, Tom is very sad. A person must maintain the purity of his body and heart to be filled with goodness and to keep away sinful deeds. That’s
why Tom really wants St. Clare to repent and start a good new life. Tom is always full of compassion. Even though, he is very tired and
hungry, he helps two tired starving women out of his compassion. Tom waited till a late hour, to get a place at the mills; and then, moved
by the utter weariness of two women, whom he saw trying to grind their corn there, he ground for them, put together the decaying brands of the
fire, where many had baked cakes before them, and then went about getting his own supper. … 375-376
From Tom’s reaction towards situation, the reader can see that Tom is a compassionate person. Although Tom himself is tired and hungry, he still helps
the women. So, from Tom’s speeches and his reaction toward situation, we can see that
tom is compassionate. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
f. Loyal Tom is always been kind to his fellow slaves, because first is because he
undergoes the similar things as the other slaves, and second because Tom is basically a good person. Tom is always ready to help other people.
Ever quiet and obliging, and more than ready to lend a hand in every emergency which occurred among the workmen below, he had won the
good opinion of all the hands, and spent many hours in helping them with as hearty a good will as ever he worked on a Kentucky farm. 153-154
Through the author’s direct comment, Tom’s character is revealed. It shows that he has much solidarity to his fellow slaves.
Tom has much kindness to share to other people. Moreover, among his fellow slaves, he is always ready to lend his hands.
In the course of the day, Tom was working near the mulatto woman who had been bought in the same lot with himself. She was evidently in a
condition of great suffering, and Tom often heard her praying, as she wavered and trembled, and seemed about to fall down. Tom silently as he
came near to her, transferred several handfuls of cotton from his own sack to hers. 330
Tom’s reaction shows his character. How Tom helps filling the woman’s sack shows his solidarity to his fellow slaves.
Tom is loyal to his friends and he protects them from his master. He feels that they share the same fate and feelings as slaves who are always at suppressed
position. When Cassy and Emmeline escapes, Tom chooses not to tell Simon Legree. Even if he has to lose his life, he prefers it than to tell his master where
his friends have fled. Not everybody will do such a brave thing. Then, Simon Legree has him beaten so badly. Tom cannot stand it and finally he loses his life,
because of the injury that he suffers. He becomes a martyr here to save others. Furthermore, he serves as a martyr to make other people repent, confess their sins,
and live right in God’s way. Well, Tom said Legree, walking up, and seizing him grimly by the
collar of his coat, and speaking through his teeth, in a paroxysm of determined rage, do you know Ive made up my mind to KILL YOU?
…
Dye hear? said Legree, stamping, with a roar like that of an incensed lion. Speak
I hant got nothing to tell, Masr, said Tom, with a slow, firm, deliberate utterance.
…
Tom was silent. Speak thundered Legree, striking him furiously. Do you know
anything? I know, Masr; but I cant tell anything. I can die 444
Tom’s speech in his conversation with Mr. Legree shows how much solidarity that Tom has for his fellow slaves. Moreover, Tom is willing to sacrifice for them.
So, from the author’s direct comment, Tom’s reaction and speech we can conclude that he is loyal.