Heather Childs 1 Dr. Hanrahan Capstone Paper 4-18-12 “Time, Race, and Equality” Tom Robinson in Harper Lee’s 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a modern version of Uncle Tom in Uncle Tom’s Cabin published by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852. Both Toms are loyal, honest men who do everything they can to help white folks. Tom Robinson is accused of raping Mayella, convicted, and then sent to prison where he is shot while trying to escape. Uncle Tom is beaten because he will not flog an old slave lady. Tom Robinson and Uncle Tom are both betrayed by people they trust. Tom Robinson is betrayed by Mayella and Uncle Tom is betrayed by the Shelbys and the St. Clares. Both Toms are examples of a specific racial archetype: the innocent, subservient, and suffering African-American male. Yet despite these similarities, there are clear differences between the characters—and their reception from critics. Critics have treated these two works differently, often rejecting the racial politics of Uncle Tom’s Cabin while embracing To Kill a Mockingbird, in part because while Stowe focuses on equality based on religion, Lee bases her claims for equality on law and justice. Finally, both books are also written from different points of view. Uncle Tom’s Cabin is written from the view of Stowe while To Kill A Mockingbird is written from the view of a child (Scout). Uncle Tom and Tom Robinson are, in their author’s minds, loyal, honest, and good Christian men who do everything right that is within their power. Those who know them have nothing but good things to say about them. Mr. Shelby, while trying to sell Uncle Tom to Haley says that, “Tom is an uncommon fellow; […] steady, honest, capable, manages my whole farm like a clock” (Stowe 2). He also tells Haley that, “Tom is a good, steady, sensible, pious fellow” (Stowe 2). Haley in turn, when trying to sell Uncle Tom to St. Clare says, that Tom is the “most
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