Uncle Tom's Cabin

White southerners are often described as hypocrites, people believe themselves to be morally upstanding, sympathetic, and righteous, all while standing silent on the institution of slavery. Others berate the slaves for breaking the law (running away) without acknowledging the immorality of their neighbors, the slaveholders. On the whole, white southerners are depicted as unfeeling, violent, and immoral people, who cannot see beyond their own sense of reighteousness.