Uncle Tom's Cabin

There are many lessons being taught in children's literature. As discussed in class, children's literature serves a didatic purpose, which is often in the form of moral lessons. The author usually tries to teach this moral lesson to children through examples of good and bad characters and good and bad actions and the consequences of such.I feel that Uncle Tom's Cabin shares some similarities to the theories of children literature we've discussed and serves a didatic purpose that differs from the norm.
The children featured in Uncle Tom's Cabin live in an entirely different world than do the children that we've discussed so far in class. A majority of the children featured are slave children. Unlike the previous children we've encountered, they're lives are not simple and carefree. These children do not have character flaws and do not serve as vehicles for moral lessons. They are children having to deal with the harsh realities of slave life, and having to be in situations far beyond their years.
As far as didatic purposes go, I feel that Uncle Tom's Cabin did put emphasis on the importance of families and religion in one's life. The importance and value of families is the driving point in the chapters of Uncle Tom's Cabin that we read. It is focus on family that is behind Eliza's reasonsing for running away. She put the best interest of her son, Harry, before her own. Mrs. Bird, although in a very different lifestyle and social class than Eliza, has the same guiding principles. Her family is her main focus, and she is not for the inhumane treatment of slaves or tearing their families apart. Religion and faith are also important aspects in the novel. Tom is portrayed as a Christ like figure and serves as a moral example for truly living by, for, and through faith.