Exposing the Process of Erasing the Negro

"Exposing the Process of Erasing the Negro" is a critical analysis by Silas Altheimer that examines the portrayal of Tom in Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Altheimer, a graduate of Haverford College, not only questions the impact of Tom's non-verbalization on his life but also highlights the limitations of his humanity. By exploring Tom's masochistic traits and Stowe's romanticized depiction, the analysis raises the question of how Stowe conceived Tom as an acceptable model of a Black man after slavery. This profound analysis offers a new perspective on the complex themes of race, identity, and literary representation, prompting reflection on the historical and cultural contexts that have shaped the perception of Black individuals in literature.