Activism through Literature: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Slavery, and Justice
45 min
Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.
- What challenges are you facing?
- What fears or concerns might you have?
- What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?
Observation Questions
- Who was Harriet Beecher Stowe?
- What was Stowe’s purpose in writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
- How did Stowe attempt to fight the injustice of slavery?
- How did Harriet Beecher Stowe help to promote freedom for others?
Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.
- What is the historical context of the narrative?
- What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
- How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
- How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
- How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
- What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
- Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
- How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
- Students will examine Harriet Beecher Stowe’s actions in fighting against the injustice of slavery.
- Students will understand ways in which they can fight injustice in their own lives.
- Students will apply their knowledge of justice towards the fair and equal treatment of others.