Elizabeth Olah

THEA 319 S2

Professor Friedman

January 17, 2018

The action builds throughout the story that develops hopeful points in various

ways. One can see this at first with Eliza and Harry being successful in reaching the

Quakers and eventually reunites safely with Eliza’s husband, George. However, within

the play - whenever there is a joyous action, it is closely followed by an action that

creates hopelessness within the characters. For example, although Eliza was able to

reunite with her husband; the next scene is we seeing Uncle Tom leaving his family to be

sold to another owner.

Another example of this specific shift seen frequently throughout the story is the

journey to Uncle Tom’s first time being freed. After Eva dies, St. Clare’s reaction to her

death leads to the decision to set Tom free. However, as soon as this decision is made -

St. Clare is stabbed to death. This death leads to Tom being sold off again viciously. This

pattern is consistent and directly reflects the movement of the action in this story.