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When reading Uncle Tom's Cabin I thought of all the crying in two different ways. At first it seemed to be a nuisance, something that takes up a whole lot of space in the novel that just isn't really needed. It doesn't help that almost every single character seems to tear up at some point making the whole group of them a bit pathetic. 

But (and this is where the other way comes in) what I failed to notice at first is just that: the WHOLE group of them.  By making almost every character a pathetic sentimental cry-baby Stowe effectively crosses race lines and finds some common ground for both whites and blacks to share. Crying is the universal here, uniting everyone in a river of tears. 

Okay so maybe that's a bit harsh, but midterms are breathing down my neck and I needed to lash out at someone and I figure it's pretty safe to pick a dead novelist rather than a living breathing person I have to face everyday.