《湯姆叔叔的小屋》中的人物


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Christianity in Uncle Tom’s Cabin
i. Tom
Tom, the protagonist of this novel, is obviously the Christ figure with black skin. Tom’s experience is quite similar to that of Jesus Christ. When Tom’s first master, Mr. Shelby sells Tom to the coarse slave-dealer in financial straits, he betrays the loyalty of his most loyal slave since boyhood. Jesus is sold by his apostle Judas who is prompted by his avarice for money. So they are all betrayed and sold by the ones who are close to them. While he struggles with his faith, as Jesus does in the last hours of his life when he says, ‘my God, why have you forsaken me’2, he never loses his simple faith. Tom’s death scene also has striking likeness with that of Jesus Christ. Tom is flogged near to death, so is Jesus before his crucifixion. When Jesus dies, there are two criminals crucified together with him, one of who believes Jesus is Messiah and is saved at the very moment and spot. Sambo and Qimbo, Degree’s two cruel overseers who in every sense are equal to criminals, are moved by Tom’s Christian fortitude and patience and are converted at the very moment and spot. Jesus is crucified to redeem sinners while Tom dies for the two runaway slaves, Cassy and