THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE

http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/

“The Christian Slave,” consisted of dramatic readings taken from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s best selling book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Mrs. Stowe was brought up to believe that plays were immoral and refused to authorize an official play of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Unofficial plays were being performed and were popular so Mrs. Stowe decided to write dramatic writings for Mrs. Mary E. Webb to perform. Mrs. Webb was a mulatto. Her mother was a slave who had escaped to the north and married a man from Spain. She performed the readings in England and the United States. The well received readings consisted of 3 Acts and numerous scenes. One article in the “Illustrated London News” dated August 1856 read, “But Mrs. Webb was most successful in the character of Tom himself. The hoarse negro voice, the solemn tones-those of a man living in the world which seems to be a perpetual contradiction to the laws of that God in whom he firmly believes-were striking.”
People during this period of history, enjoyed the readings for their entertainment and educational opportunities. This novel was very popular during this time and through these readings people could relive memorable moments of the book.