UTC - Chapters 18-28

Stowe shifted back to the southern setting. Miss Ophelia was greatly organized in her Vermont home, so when she saw the St. Clare house in such disarray, she immediately set to the task of cleaning up. The household cook was furious at Miss Ophelia's actions. She complained to St. Clare but he remained indifferent, as always, to the waste and deceit of his servants. Tom attempted to evangelize old Prue, but his efforts seemed to be in vain. After the death of Prue, Miss Ophelia and St. Clare had a long discussion on the ethics, or lack thereof, of slavery. St. Clare defined slavery as “my brother... is ignorant and weak, and I am intelligent and strong, - because I know how, and can do it, - therefore I may steal all he has, keep it, and give him only such and so much as suits my fancy... [My slave] shall do my will, and not his all the days of his mortal life, and have such chance of getting into heaven, at last, as I find convenient” (331). St. Clare admitted to wanting to do something to stop slavery but he was too lazy to. St. Clare bought a slave to assist Miss Ophelia. Miss Ophelia was given the chance to teach the child in whatever way seemed fit. Though several attempts were made, Topsy was a very unruly child and resisted all civility. She was a regular thief and took revenge on those that treated her wrongly, but hid behind kind St. Clare if she was in trouble. Chloe, Tom's wife, received a letter from him asking about when the money for his redemption would be sent. The Shelbys didn't have the resources to pay for him at that time, but Chloe asked to be hired out to a confectioner. She would make enough money in five or six years to earn back her husband. The Shelbys agreed to that arrangement, much to Chloe's delight. In chapter twenty-two, Eva began showing signs of illness. She became more frail than before but continued to act in the manner to which she was so accustomed. Eva began teaching Mammy to read, though Marie disapproved. Eva's cousin, Henrique, was very much like his father. He whipped servants and was severely unkind to them for the smallest mistakes and mishaps. Eva asked him not to be so harsh to the servants because he would frighten them into lying. St. Clare admitted to his brother his desire to act against slavery but was unsure of himself. His brother, Alfred, confronted him, "If I thought as you do, I should do something." Eva's health took a turn for the worse. In this time period, the doctors could not do much for those with TB, so she had to fight on her own. Marie finally took notice of her daughter's truly ill health but used it as an excuse for her own medical problems. Because she knows she is dying, Eva had a long talk with her father about her passing away and slavery. This chapter was extremely moving. Topsy has been very bad since she was brought to the St. Clares home. Finally, Eva was able to lead her playmate to Christ by showing her the love of the Savior for all people. Topsy promised to try to be good but knew she couldn't do it on her own. Topsy brought Eva a small bouquet of two flowers, one dark, one white, as a gift one morning. Perhaps it was a symbol of the friendship between the slave and her master. Eva gave all the slaves a lock of her curly hair by which to remember her. She died just after midnight. This chapter was the most touching of all. Stowe captured everything in the most expressive language. It was the most beautiful story of death that I have ever read. Eva was buried at the St. Clares' summer house. St. Clare was unaware of everything around him but was obsessed with sorrow over the loss of his precious child. Tom again tried to witness to his master and prayed for him, but seemed to be unsuccessful. Miss Ophelia tells Topsy that she can love the child just as much as her recently departed friend had. St. Clare spoke to Tom about giving the man his freedom. Tom was overjoyed but would stay as long as St. Clare needed him, until he became a Christian. St. Clare also gave Miss Ophelia legal possession of her pupil Topsy. Later that night, St. Clare was accidentally stabbed whilst trying to breakup a fight. The mortal wound reunited him with his mother and daughter.