Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Chapter 5 summary
Chapter 5 of 45 · 15 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 5, Mr. Shelby tells his wife that debt forces him to sell Tom and Harry, and Eliza overhears their conversation before escaping with her child. She warns Tom, but he refuses to flee because he believes accepting the sale protects the other enslaved people from being sold.
What happens
- Mr. Shelby admits that he sells Tom and Harry to settle a debt secured by Haley’s mortgage.
- Mrs. Shelby condemns slavery, offers her watch to help, and refuses to help conceal Harry’s removal from Eliza.
- Eliza overhears the conversation, leaves her mistress a note, and takes Harry out into the frosty night.
- Eliza reaches Tom’s cottage and tells him and Aunt Chloe about the sale.
- Tom rejects Chloe’s advice to escape, choosing to stay rather than risk the sale of everyone on the place.
- Eliza asks them to send her husband word of her intended journey to Canada, then leaves with Harry.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Tom explains his refusal to escape as a sacrifice for the other enslaved people. His choice contrasts with Eliza’s decision to flee with Harry.
Quick check
Why does Tom refuse to escape with Eliza?
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