Uncle Tom's Cabin

Because he is patient and a good worker, Tom becomes accustomed to the trials of his new life. He toils on, trusting himself to the mercy of God. Legree sees Tom as a valuable worker yet distrusts him innately because Tom brings comfort to those whom Legree brutalizes. Legree bought Tom wishing to make him his right-hand man, but he lacks the hardness necessary for the position. Legree decides to harden Tom’s heart.

One morning, at the beginning of the day’s work, Tom notes a new woman, “tall and slenderly formed,” whose face belies “a wild, painful, and romantic history” (501). Something about her demeanor commands respect. The other slaves, however, seem to know her; some are delighted to see she has been lowered to working the fields with them. The woman works fiercely, scornful of the task.

Tom notices Lucy falling behind, so he adds some of his cotton to her bag. She begs him not to. Sambo notices and whips Lucy across the face. They resume working, but Lucy soon faints. Sambo threatens her, and she is reinvigorated for a while. Tom gives her all of his cotton, telling her he can bear the consequences better than she can.