I do not believe that Tom is ALL bad. Yes, he is mean and arrogant, but he is starting to show some changing. For example on page 46, Tom actually feels bad for being mean to Chambers. He is also actually enjoying meeting with his mom and talking with her and they even started to meet more often than just the times when she needed money (48). I think Tom will grow out of racist ways at least a little and give more respect to black people by the end of the novel. Change can not happen over night and at least he is changing a little.
We haven't really talked about Chambers so I wanted to mention him as well...
First of all, I fell so sorry for Chambers and all the things he had to go through when it was really not his fate. He is such a good hearted person and does not need to be treated the way Tom treats him. He treats him more harshly than his "dad" treated his own slaves and his "dad" was more wealthy and powerful than Tom. I also feel like Roxy should feel bad for what she did. She seems to not care at all for Chambers and not only should she tell Tom he is black but also tell Chambers that he is white. Chambers has suffered enough and needs to put out of his misery especially since Roxy is the one that put him in his position. Roxy should also share the money she is getting from Tom with Chambers because he deserves to be compensated for all the hell he has been through as well.
somehow i feel as if Tom isn't all that nice, and his motives are still selfish. Perhaps the reason he feels sorry for Chambers and becomes friendly towards Roxy is not that he's coming closer to discovering the idea of equality (i think that's far too ingrained in him), he merely thinks he has fallen to Roxy's level, and is thus willing to talk to her. then, perhaps, instead of feeling sorry for Chambers because of being equal, he now feels sorry for Chambers because he is superior. so, in conclusion, while it's nice to know Tom can actually feel empathy for others, i don't think he's getting anywhere nearer to losing his racism, and that he's still a pretty mean character.
ReplyDeleteI like how you use the phrase 'put out of his misery,' at chambers in contrast to it's usual context. I somehow wonder that as well. seeing as it is difficult to change Tom into a slave, as he goes back to his old ways, if redemption is ever found, which, going by the whole plots-usually-have-endings theory, it probably will be... Chambers is going to have a hugely difficult time becoming white. Would, perhaps his only salvation from the shame of being a boorish white aristocrat be killing himself?
I agree with you when you say that Tom's attitude can't change overnight, but I still feel that he is a bad guy in general. After the incident with the twins, he goes out of his way to make their lives hell, and he enjoys watching their downfall. He even took pleasure in the fact that Wilson would never be able to find the woman and made the decision to question him about it every chance that he got for the rest of his life just to watch him squirm (109; chapter XX). He seems to enjoy making others uncomfortable in order to entertain himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Roman that Tom is very selfish. I thought it was very brave of Roxy to even entertain the thought of going back into slavery to help her son let alone actually doing it. It also attests to the depth of her feelings for Tom, though he has always been disrespectful to her. If Tom were an upstanding citizen who really cared for his mother, I feel as though he should have instantly shot-down her proposal instead of going along with it.
I think it's interesting that you discuss Chambers' fate, because I think one of the major points that Twain is trying to make is that race should not determine fate, and that there is no reason that the fate that Roxy gives Tom and Chambers is any less valid or fair than the fate they would have had otherwise. I don't know that Roxy should have any reason to feel bad; she only wanted to protect her son, and she didn't see why her son should be destined to have a worse life than Tom. If free white people are able to ensure the superior status of their children by oppressing slaves, why should Roxy not be able to do the same for her Child?
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