Uncle Tom's Cabin

I've been reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. It is an amazing book. As I've read I've intentionally avoiding reading reviews or critiques of it becasue I want to form my own ideas about the story before I am influenced by scholars.

Holy Cow it's a great book! I'm about 2/3 through it. I find that even though it deals with the issue of slavery it is universally applicable. As I've read and questioned in my mind the author's motivation, I wonder if she is simply decrying the wrongs of slavery or if she intends a higher more universal message. As I read the book I find that it is a study of the human nature to rationalize immoral behavior. In the story there are many characters; slaves, slave holders, and non-slave holders who have varied rationalizations for thier own acts, beliefs and prejudices.

I see a current issue in a similar strain. I think in many ways the treatment of those who break the law to be immoral. For example: those with wealth expereince a very different judicial system than those without wealth, we penialize instead of rehabilitate, and create lables and burdens that last a lifetime, to name only a few. There are a variety of rationalizations we use in order to do this. I don't see this any different than the issue of slavery. I believe it is a continued way to dehumanize an individual.

There is and must be a better way. But first I think we need to stop seeing people in a hierarchy where any one of us is better than the other, or that any one of us is worse than another. -But for the grace of God, go I-

I wonder, have you read Uncle Tom's Cabin?
What are your imprssions?
Is there another book you've read with a similar theme?