http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/
This is a jigsaw puzzle that can be found under the heading “Uncle Tomitudes” and is labled Puzzle #3.
I really like this puzzle because it takes you through the through the novel from beginning to end, depicting the major events in the plot. The characters in this puzzle are depicted in a manner that very closely matches the descriptions of Stowe. In the center of the puzzle, the artist has placed oval insets depicting the special relationships of Uncle Tom/Eliza and Eliza/Topsy. These two relationships were very powerful and central to the novel. Uncle Tom and Eva were very stong spiritual beings that nurtured each other's faith. Eva, in some way, seemed to pass her faith to her peer, Topsy, who would live past Eva to pass on that faith and education to other children in Africa.
The depiction of Topsy is also very believable in this puzzle. She is very simply dressed with the hair style described by Stowe. Other depictions, such as the cute Topsy dressed in madras and eating watermelon – really does not match the description of Stowe and would have appealed to an audience of children. This audience would not have the maturity to comphrend the serious nature of Stowe's work. The puzzle, however, is fashioned to address an audience that remains open-minded to learning the truth of slavery.
Topsy was one of my favorite characters. Found under Uncle Tom as Children's Books
Topsy Children's Book by: Anonymous, New York: McLoughlin Brothers c.1890.
