What is chapter 3 of Uncle Tom's Cabin about?

Answer 1

Summary: Chapter II

We learn that the beautiful Eliza married a talented mulatto named George, but was separated from him when he was hired out to work in a factory nearby. He invented a machine to speed the process of cleaning hemp, thereby earning the admiration of the factory's proprietor. However, George's master removed him from the factory, saying that he only invented the machine because he was too lazy to work. He put George to work at menial labor, which meant that he could see his wife only infrequently. George and Eliza lost two young children, making Eliza very protective of her only surviving child, Harry.

Answer 2

Chapter 3 of Uncle Tom's Cabin focuses on Mr. and Mrs. Shelby discussing their financial troubles and deciding to sell Uncle Tom to try to clear their debts. Mrs. Shelby is torn about the decision, as she has grown to care for Uncle Tom and his family. Uncle Tom, on the other hand, is shown as a faithful and trusting character throughout the chapter.

Answer 3

Summary: Chapter III

George comes to see Eliza soon after her conversation with Mrs. Shelby and tells her that he is going to escape because he can no longer bear the miseries he has been suffering. Eliza urges him to practice Christian restraint and to trust in God, but George explains that his master is urging him to take another woman as his wife. Eliza protests, and George reminds her that there are no lawful marriages among slaves. As he leaves, he tells Eliza that he will head north for Canada in a week; once there, he will work to buy freedom for Eliza and Harry.

Answer 4

Summary: Chapter IV

In Uncle Tom's cabin, Aunt Chloe is cooking dinner for Tom and the children. Shelby's son, young Mas'r George, is teaching Tom how to write the letter G. They laugh and talk, bantering about, then eating griddlecakes and discussing pies. After dinner they hold a prayer meeting at which the gathered slaves sing hymns and Mas'r George reads the last chapters of Revelation.

While this happy scene takes place in the cabin, Mr. Shelby agrees to sell both Tom and Harry. He signs the papers, and Mr. Haley relieves him of his mortgage. Shelby reminds Haley that he has promised not to sell Tom to any but the kindest master. Haley states unconvincingly that he will do his best.

Answer 5

Summary: Chapter V

That evening, Shelby tells his wife about the sale. Mrs. Shelby, appalled, tries to convince her husband not to sell the slaves-after all, he has promised to set Tom free, and she has promised Eliza that Harry would not be taken away from her. But Mr. Shelby tells her that he must either sell those two slaves, or sell all of his property. Mrs. Shelby declares that slavery is a sin, that she hates slavery and wishes that she could do something to stop it. She offers to sell her watch to save Harry. Shelby apologizes to his wife, but says that the papers are already signed.

Eliza overhears their conversation. Realizing that her son is going to be sold, she takes him, tells him to be quiet, and carries him to Uncle Tom's cabin. There, the prayer meeting has ended, and Eliza tells Tom and Chloe what she has heard. Tom says that he will not try to escape, but Eliza must. Eliza states her intention to head to Canada and asks Tom and Chloe to tell George to look for her. Taking her child, she glides into the night.