"Uncle Tom's Cabin" (Harriet Beecher Stowe)

"Uncle Tom's Cabin," written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852, is a novel that depicts the brutal realities of slavery in America. Through the story of Uncle Tom, a dignified and compassionate enslaved man, and other characters, it highlights the moral injustices and inhumanity of slavery. The book aimed to raise awareness and evoke empathy, fueling the abolitionist movement. While it was influential in shaping public opinion against slavery, the term "Uncle Tom" has since evolved into a pejorative, often used to describe someone perceived as subservient or overly deferential.