Antebellum Women’s History on the Web:

The Case of Uncle Tom’s Cabin

History 266

February 13, 2002

I. Thinking About the Popularity of Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Material Culture:

Popular Culture and Uncle Tomitudes

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/tomituds/8116f.html

Popular Culture Comparisons

http://www.sfmoma.org/collections/painting+sculpture/ma_coll_koons.html

Music:

Little Eva: Uncle Tom’s Guardian Angel

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/songs/littlevaf.html

The Ongoing Influence: Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Hollywood, 1936-1956

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/onstage/films/cameos/hollywood.html

II. Exploring The Basic Websites:

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/STOWE/stowe.html

Uncle Tom’s Cabin and American Culture: A Multimedia Site

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/

III. Topics and Leads for In-Class Projects:

Mothers in Uncle Tom’s America

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA97/riedy/tpage.html

Uncle Tom’s Houses: the Domestic Ideal

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/UTC/title.html

Northern Reviews

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/reviews/rehp.html

African American Responses

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/africam/afhp.html

Southern Responses

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/reviews/rehp.html

Children’s Books

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/childrn/cbhp.html

“The Real” Uncle Tom

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/utc/africam/henson5881.html

In Class Projects:

Explore one of the topics above (or another topic as determined by conversation), and begin by thinking historically about what Uncle Tom’s Cabin (UTC) contributes to our knowledge of the historical period, how it helps us to “enter into” the history, and how it helps us read it.

Use your focus in relation to UTC to help your exploration. You may want to consider:

--imagery in graphics and in language

--cultural context

--audience

--message/orientation/theme

Finally, write 1-2 paragraphs, including citations of online sources, that briefly summarize the high points and findings of your exploration of the resources on your topic found in the website. Make sure that you put your names on your paragraphs. Email your paragraphs to Courtney.mcgee@oberlin.edu. Courtney will collect the paragraphs and turn them into a collaborative webpage.