ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Shelby was a kind and gentle master who treated his slaves with kindness and humanity. He gave his slave food and clothes to live a better life, and allowed them to get married with other slaves in his plantation. But because of the debt, Mr. Shelby had to sell Tom and Eliza’s little son.

Detailed explanation-2: -Shelby treats his slaves relatively humanely – but when his mismanagement of the household finances causes him to fall into debt, he breaks his word and his code of ethics and sells both Tom and Eliza’s son, Harry.

Detailed explanation-3: -Shelby has fallen into debt and must sell several slaves to raise money, or else he will lose all his land and property. He tells Haley of a fine slave he owns, Uncle Tom-an uncommonly good and honest man, and a devout Christian.

Detailed explanation-4: -Moreover, Haley suggests another of slavery’s immoral functions when he tells Shelby that Eliza would sell well in New Orleans; he would sell her into sexual slavery. He does not state this intent for little Harry, but we will learn that both Mrs.

Detailed explanation-5: -Arthur Shelby The owner of Uncle Tom in Kentucky, Shelby sells Tom to the cruel Mr. Haley to pay off his debts. An educated, kind, and basically good-hearted man, Shelby nonetheless tolerates and perpetuates slavery.