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Harriet Beecher Stowe's *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, first published in 1852, was primarily known for its pro-slavery themes.
Answer: False
Harriet Beecher Stowe's *Uncle Tom's Cabin* is widely recognized for its profound anti-slavery themes, not pro-slavery themes, and played a significant role in the abolitionist movement.
In Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom is depicted as a deeply religious Christian preacher who practices nonresistance.
Answer: True
The source material confirms that in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom is characterized as a deeply religious Christian preacher who adheres to the principle of nonresistance.
Stowe's original intent for Uncle Tom was to reject existing minstrel show stereotypes and humanize the suffering of slavery.
Answer: True
Harriet Beecher Stowe's original intent for Uncle Tom was to create a character that directly challenged existing minstrel show stereotypes, portraying him as a humanized figure who suffered under slavery, thereby eliciting empathy from white audiences.
Harriet Beecher Stowe challenged gender conventions by portraying Uncle Tom's daring escape from slavery, contrasting it with the passive resistance of women.
Answer: False
Harriet Beecher Stowe challenged gender conventions by contrasting Uncle Tom's *passive resistance* with the daring actions of three African American women who successfully escaped from slavery, not by depicting Tom's daring escape.
*Uncle Tom's Cabin* sold approximately 50,000 copies worldwide by 1853, including authorized reprints.
Answer: False
By 1853, *Uncle Tom's Cabin* had sold an estimated 500,000 copies worldwide, including unauthorized reprints, indicating a much broader commercial success than 50,000 copies.
Senator Charles Sumner credited *Uncle Tom's Cabin* with contributing to Abraham Lincoln's election.
Answer: True
The source explicitly states that Senator Charles Sumner credited *Uncle Tom's Cabin* with contributing to Abraham Lincoln's election, highlighting its significant political impact.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was a primary inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe to write *Uncle Tom's Cabin*.
Answer: True
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is explicitly identified as a specific impetus and primary inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe to write *Uncle Tom's Cabin*.
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed African Americans to testify on their own behalf in court if a claimant presented an affidavit of ownership.
Answer: False
The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 explicitly denied African Americans the right to testify on their own behalf in court, even if a claimant presented an affidavit of ownership, making this statement false.
Uncle Tom is a fictional character of American nationality, described as male and Christian.
Answer: True
The source material confirms that Uncle Tom is a fictional character of American nationality, and is described as male and Christian.
Who is the author of the 1852 novel *Uncle Tom's Cabin*?
Answer: Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe is the author of the influential 1852 novel, *Uncle Tom's Cabin*, as identified in the source material.
How was Uncle Tom initially perceived during the Victorian era, according to the source?
Answer: As a groundbreaking literary challenge to the dehumanization of enslaved people.
During the Victorian era, Uncle Tom was initially perceived as a groundbreaking literary challenge to the dehumanization of enslaved people, offering a humanized perspective on the suffering caused by slavery.
Which of the following best describes Uncle Tom's character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel?
Answer: A deeply religious Christian preacher who practices nonresistance.
In Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom is characterized as a deeply religious Christian preacher who practices nonresistance, ultimately accepting martyrdom rather than betraying others.
What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's original intent behind the characterization of Uncle Tom?
Answer: To reject existing minstrel show stereotypes and humanize the suffering of slavery.
Harriet Beecher Stowe's original intent for Uncle Tom was to reject existing minstrel show stereotypes and humanize the suffering of slavery, portraying him as a strong, Jesus-like martyr.
How did *Uncle Tom's Cabin* challenge gender conventions in slave narratives?
Answer: By contrasting Uncle Tom's passive resistance with the daring actions of three African American women who successfully escaped.
Harriet Beecher Stowe challenged gender conventions by contrasting Uncle Tom's passive resistance with the daring actions of three African American women who successfully escaped from slavery.
By 1853, approximately how many copies of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* were sold worldwide?
Answer: 500,000
By 1853, *Uncle Tom's Cabin* had sold an estimated 500,000 copies worldwide, including unauthorized reprints, demonstrating its widespread commercial success.
Which prominent figure credited *Uncle Tom's Cabin* with contributing to Abraham Lincoln's election?
Answer: Senator Charles Sumner
Senator Charles Sumner is the prominent figure who credited *Uncle Tom's Cabin* with contributing to Abraham Lincoln's election, underscoring its political influence.
Which of the following was a harsh provision of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?
Answer: It mandated heavy fines for Northern law enforcement who did not help return escaped enslaved people.
A harsh provision of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was the mandate of heavy fines for Northern law enforcement officials who failed to assist in the return of escaped enslaved people.
What is the approximate modern equivalent of the $1000 fine mentioned in the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850?
Answer: $28,435 in 2023
The $1000 fine mentioned in the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is approximately $28,435 in 2023, highlighting the significant financial penalty involved.
Josiah Henson's autobiography was published in 1849 and directly inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's character of Uncle Tom.
Answer: True
Josiah Henson's autobiography, published in 1849, is confirmed by the source as a direct inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's character of Uncle Tom, with Stowe incorporating elements from his narrative.
Josiah Henson was born into slavery in 1799 and became a Christian preacher at the age of twenty-eight.
Answer: False
Josiah Henson was born into slavery in 1789, not 1799, and became a Christian preacher at the age of eighteen, not twenty-eight.
Josiah Henson successfully purchased his freedom after his owner agreed to the initial price of $450.
Answer: False
Josiah Henson did not successfully purchase his freedom at the initial price of $450; his owner increased the price to $1000 after Henson had raised most of the initial amount, making the purchase impossible.
Whose autobiography served as an inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's character of Uncle Tom?
Answer: Josiah Henson
Josiah Henson's autobiography, *The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself*, served as a direct inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's character of Uncle Tom.
In what year was Josiah Henson born into slavery?
Answer: 1789
Josiah Henson was born into slavery in the year 1789, as stated in the source material.
What moral decision did Josiah Henson make during a trip to New Orleans where he was to be sold?
Answer: He chose non-violence, deciding against murdering his white companions due to his Christian morals.
During a trip to New Orleans, Josiah Henson made the moral decision to choose non-violence, deciding against murdering his white companions because his Christian morals forbade such an act.
Where did Josiah Henson settle after escaping slavery?
Answer: Canada
After successfully escaping slavery, Josiah Henson settled in Canada, where he subsequently became a civic leader.
What was the title of Josiah Henson's autobiography?
Answer: *The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself*
The title of Josiah Henson's autobiography, which inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe, is *The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself*.
At what age did Josiah Henson become a Christian preacher?
Answer: Eighteen
Josiah Henson became a Christian preacher at the age of eighteen, as documented in the source material.
During the Victorian era, Uncle Tom was widely criticized for being inexplicably kind to white slaveowners.
Answer: False
During the Victorian era, Uncle Tom was initially perceived as a groundbreaking literary challenge to the dehumanization of enslaved people. The criticism for being 'inexplicably kind' and the development of the derogatory epithet came later, particularly through distorted dramatizations.
The term 'Uncle Tom' became a derogatory epithet primarily due to Harriet Beecher Stowe's original characterization.
Answer: False
Harriet Beecher Stowe never intended 'Uncle Tom' to be a derogatory name. The pejorative meaning of the term developed primarily from later, distorted stage versions of the character, rather than from Stowe's original literary depiction.
An anonymous reviewer for *The Liberator* in 1852 praised Uncle Tom's character as a perfect example of Christian non-resistance for all races.
Answer: False
An anonymous reviewer for *The Liberator* in 1852 did not praise Uncle Tom's character as a universal example of Christian non-resistance, but rather questioned a potential racial double standard, asking if such non-resistance was expected only of Black individuals.
James Weldon Johnson expressed admiration for Uncle Tom's character and his type of goodness.
Answer: False
James Weldon Johnson explicitly stated in his autobiography that he was never an admirer of Uncle Tom or his particular brand of goodness, indicating a critical rather than admiring stance.
James Baldwin criticized Uncle Tom for being 'emasculated' and viewed Stowe's African-American characters as two-dimensional stereotypes.
Answer: True
In his 1949 essay, James Baldwin indeed criticized Uncle Tom for being 'emasculated' and viewed Harriet Beecher Stowe's African-American characters as two-dimensional stereotypes, arguing her artistic vision was marred by polemics and racism.
After James Baldwin's essay, the character's reputation improved significantly, leading to a resurgence of interest in the original novel.
Answer: False
Following James Baldwin's essay, Uncle Tom's reputation plummeted, and the character became an 'epithet of servility,' rather than experiencing a significant improvement or resurgence of interest in the original novel.
Debra J. Rosenthal notes that critics universally commend *Uncle Tom's Cabin* for its artistic perfection and unwavering affirmation of African American humanity.
Answer: False
Debra J. Rosenthal notes that critical reactions to *Uncle Tom's Cabin* have been mixed, with some commending its affirmation of humanity and anti-slavery stance, while others criticize its artistic flaws and the limited terms of that affirmation, indicating a lack of universal commendation.
The modern derogatory meaning of 'Uncle Tom' describes a person who is excessively subservient, especially if they perceive their lower-class status based on race.
Answer: True
The modern derogatory meaning of 'Uncle Tom' precisely describes a person who is excessively subservient, particularly when they perceive their lower-class status based on race, and may also imply a betrayal of their own group.
In psychology, 'Uncle Tom syndrome' neutrally describes subservience as a coping mechanism against intimidation.
Answer: True
In psychology, 'Uncle Tom syndrome' is indeed used with intended neutrality to describe the use of subservience, appeasement, and passivity as a coping mechanism when an individual faces intimidation and threats.
Harriet Beecher Stowe intended 'Uncle Tom' to be a derided name, reflecting the character's flaws.
Answer: False
Harriet Beecher Stowe never intended 'Uncle Tom' to be a derided name. The pejorative meaning developed from later, distorted stage versions of the character, not from her original intent.
What was James Weldon Johnson's opinion of Uncle Tom's character?
Answer: He was never an admirer of Uncle Tom or his type of goodness.
James Weldon Johnson explicitly stated in his autobiography that he was never an admirer of Uncle Tom or his particular brand of goodness.
What was a key criticism James Baldwin leveled against Uncle Tom in his 1949 essay?
Answer: That Uncle Tom was 'emasculated' and 'robbed of his humanity.'
In his 1949 essay, James Baldwin's key criticism was that Uncle Tom was 'emasculated' and 'robbed of his humanity,' viewing this as the cost of spiritual salvation for a dark-skinned man.
What is the modern derogatory meaning of 'Uncle Tom'?
Answer: A person who is excessively subservient, especially if they perceive their lower-class status based on race.
The modern derogatory meaning of 'Uncle Tom' describes a person who is excessively subservient, particularly if they perceive their lower-class status based on race, and may also imply a betrayal of their own group.
In psychology, what does 'Uncle Tom syndrome' describe with intended neutrality?
Answer: The use of subservience, appeasement, and passivity as a coping mechanism when facing intimidation and threats.
In psychology, 'Uncle Tom syndrome' neutrally describes the use of subservience, appeasement, and passivity as a coping mechanism when an individual is confronted with intimidation and threats.
What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's original intention for the name 'Uncle Tom'?
Answer: She never intended 'Uncle Tom' to be a derided name; the pejorative meaning developed from distorted stage versions.
Harriet Beecher Stowe never intended 'Uncle Tom' to be a derided name; the pejorative meaning of the term developed from later, distorted theatrical versions of the character, stripped of his inherent strength.
What is the significance of the term 'house negro' in the context of the 'Uncle Tom' epithet?
Answer: It is referenced as a type of individual that the derogatory epithet 'Uncle Tom' describes, implying subservience and betrayal.
The term 'house negro' is referenced as a type of individual that the derogatory epithet 'Uncle Tom' describes, particularly someone who is excessively subservient and uncritical of their lower-class status, often implying a betrayal of their own group.
Minstrel show retellings of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* often portrayed Uncle Tom as a Christian martyr and were generally pro-abolitionist.
Answer: False
Minstrel show retellings of *Uncle Tom's Cabin* typically transformed Uncle Tom from a Christian martyr into a fool or an apologist for slavery, and these adaptations were generally derisive and pro-slavery, not pro-abolitionist.
George Kunkel was the first to adapt Stowe's novel into the minstrel show format and portrayed Uncle Tom in Charleston in 1861.
Answer: True
George Kunkel is identified as the first individual to adapt Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel into the minstrel show format, and he indeed portrayed Uncle Tom in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1861.
'Tom Shows' remained in continuous production in the United States for approximately 20 years after the 1850s.
Answer: False
'Tom Shows' remained in continuous production in the United States for at least 80 years beyond the 1850s, extending well into the 1930s, a much longer period than 20 years.
The minstrel show character of Uncle Tom was typically depicted as a young, muscular, and virile man, consistent with Stowe's original portrayal.
Answer: False
The minstrel show character of Uncle Tom was typically depicted as a shuffling, asexual, and decrepit old man, which significantly diverged from Stowe's original portrayal of him as a young, muscular, and virile man.
Jo-Ann Morgan argues that shifting representations of Uncle Tom after the Civil War recast him within the apologetics of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy.
Answer: True
Jo-Ann Morgan indeed argues that after the Civil War, shifting representations of Uncle Tom redefined him to fit prevailing racist norms, recasting him within the apologetics of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy.
The 'Lost Cause of the Confederacy' movement after the Civil War aimed to restore Stowe's original, virile depiction of Uncle Tom.
Answer: False
The 'Lost Cause of the Confederacy' movement after the Civil War did not aim to restore Stowe's original, virile depiction of Uncle Tom; instead, it recast him as a decrepit old man, stripping him of his original capacity for resistance to fit prevailing racist norms.
Why did Harriet Beecher Stowe have no control over the early stage adaptations of her novel?
Answer: American copyright law before 1856 did not grant novel authors control over derivative stage adaptations.
Harriet Beecher Stowe had no control over the early stage adaptations of her novel because American copyright law before 1856 did not grant novel authors any legal control over derivative stage adaptations.
How did minstrel show adaptations typically portray Uncle Tom?
Answer: As a fool or an apologist for slavery, often performed by white men in blackface.
Minstrel show adaptations typically portrayed Uncle Tom as a caricatured fool or an apologist for slavery, often performed by white men in blackface, significantly diverging from Stowe's original depiction.
What was George Kunkel's role in the minstrel show adaptations of *Uncle Tom's Cabin*?
Answer: He was the first to adapt Stowe's novel into the minstrel show format and portrayed Uncle Tom.
George Kunkel was the first individual to adapt Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel into the minstrel show format, and he notably portrayed Uncle Tom in the inaugural minstrel show adaptation in Charleston in 1861.
How did the minstrel show character of Uncle Tom typically differ from Stowe's original depiction?
Answer: Stowe's Tom was a young, muscular, and virile man, while minstrel Tom degenerated into a shuffling, asexual individual.
Stowe's original Uncle Tom was a young, muscular, and virile man, whereas the minstrel show character degenerated into a shuffling, asexual individual, representing a significant divergence in portrayal.
According to Jo-Ann Morgan, what was the effect of shifting representations of Uncle Tom after the Civil War?
Answer: They redefined Uncle Tom to fit prevailing racist norms, often within the apologetics of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy.
According to Jo-Ann Morgan, shifting representations of Uncle Tom after the Civil War redefined him to fit prevailing racist norms, often within the apologetics of the Lost Cause of the Confederacy, thereby undermining Stowe's original subversive characterization.
What was the role of the 'Lost Cause of the Confederacy' in shaping popular depictions of Uncle Tom after the Civil War?
Answer: It recast Uncle Tom from a virile, resistant figure into a decrepit old man, stripping him of his original capacity for resistance.
The 'Lost Cause of the Confederacy' played a role in shaping popular depictions of Uncle Tom after the Civil War by recasting him from a virile, resistant figure into a decrepit old man, thereby stripping him of his original capacity for resistance to fit its ideological narrative.
Claire Parfait observed that alterations in Uncle Tom retellings highlight the novel's capacity to irritate and rankle even a century and a half after its publication.
Answer: True
Claire Parfait observed that the numerous alterations in retellings of the Uncle Tom story indeed highlight the novel's enduring capacity to 'irritate and rankle' even a century and a half after its initial publication.
Spike Lee's 2000 film *Bamboozled* was a historical drama that celebrated traditional minstrel show performances.
Answer: False
Spike Lee's 2000 film *Bamboozled* was a dark modern satire or comedy-drama that challenged negative stereotyping, rather than celebrating traditional minstrel show performances.
Spike Lee stated that gangsta rap represents a type of stereotype that advances the interests of Black people.
Answer: False
Spike Lee explicitly stated that gangsta rap represents a type of stereotype that does *not* advance the interests of Black people, a position he reiterated in various contexts.
*Bamboozled* challenges notions of 'Uncle Toming' and demonstrates the concept of 'double-consciousness' coined by W. E. B. Du Bois.
Answer: True
Spike Lee's *Bamboozled* indeed challenges notions of 'Uncle Toming' and 'acting white,' and it effectively demonstrates the concept of 'double-consciousness,' a term introduced by W. E. B. Du Bois.
Marlon Riggs' *Ethnic Notions* documentary focused exclusively on positive portrayals of African Americans in early 20th-century media.
Answer: False
Marlon Riggs' *Ethnic Notions* documentary focused on the history and legacy of dehumanizing African-American stereotypes and racializing caricatures, not exclusively on positive portrayals.
The Staffordshire figure from 1855–1860 depicts Uncle Tom with Simon Legree.
Answer: False
The Staffordshire figure from 1855–1860 depicts Uncle Tom with Eva, illustrating a popular relationship from the novel, not Uncle Tom with Simon Legree.
What did Claire Parfait observe about the many alterations in retellings of the Uncle Tom story?
Answer: They demonstrated an impulse to 'correct the retellers' perceptions of its flaws' and highlighted the novel's capacity to 'irritate and rankle.'
Claire Parfait observed that the numerous alterations in retellings of the Uncle Tom story demonstrated an impulse to 'correct the retellers' perceptions of its flaws' and highlighted the novel's enduring capacity to 'irritate and rankle' even a century and a half after its publication.
What sociological concept, coined by W. E. B. Du Bois, does Spike Lee's film *Bamboozled* demonstrate?
Answer: Double-consciousness
Spike Lee's film *Bamboozled* demonstrates the sociological concept of 'double-consciousness,' a term coined by W. E. B. Du Bois to describe the internal conflict experienced by subordinated groups.
What was the focus of Marlon Riggs' Emmy Award-winning 1987 documentary film *Ethnic Notions*?
Answer: The history and legacy of dehumanizing African-American stereotypes and racializing caricatures.
Marlon Riggs' *Ethnic Notions* documentary focused on the history and legacy of dehumanizing African-American stereotypes and racializing caricatures across various media.
What does the Staffordshire figure from 1855–1860 depict?
Answer: Uncle Tom and Eva
The Staffordshire figure from 1855–1860 depicts Uncle Tom and Eva, illustrating a popular scene or relationship from the novel in visual culture.
Which of the following media types did Marlon Riggs' *Ethnic Notions* analyze for African-American stereotypes?
Answer: Cartoons, minstrel shows, advertisements, household artifacts, and children's rhymes.
Marlon Riggs' *Ethnic Notions* analyzed African-American stereotypes and racializing caricatures found in a wide array of media, including cartoons, minstrel shows, advertisements, household artifacts, and children's rhymes.