# Mrs. Shelby — Uncle Tom’s Cabin character guide

> Mrs. Shelby in Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Shelby, Polly

**First appearance:** 0000-volume-i-i-in-which-the-reader-is-introduced-to-a-man-of-humanity

## Snapshot

A Christian Kentucky mistress who has taught her enslaved people to honor family ties, she must watch her husband sell them anyway.

## Who they are

Mrs. Shelby manages the household at the Shelbys' Kentucky farm with genuine affection for the people she owns, instructing them in faith and family duty. When her husband's debts force the sale of Tom and Harry, her protests expose the hypocrisy of a Christianity that blesses the very trade it condemns. Her helpless outrage sets the moral terms of the opening chapters and fuels Eliza's flight.

## In the story

### [In Which the Reader Is Introduced to a Man of Humanity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-i-in-which-the-reader-is-introduced-to-a-man-of-humanity)

A morally upright and religious woman who is unaware of her husband's deal and reassures Eliza that Harry will not be sold.

### [II: The Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-the-mother)

Eliza's kind mistress who approved of Eliza's marriage to George and adorned Eliza's hair with orange-blossoms at the wedding.

### [Showing the Feelings of Living Property on Changing Owners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-v-showing-the-feelings-of-living-property-on-changing-owners)

Expresses moral outrage at the sale, offers her watch to save Harry, and laments the curse of slavery.

### [VI: Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-discovery)

Secretly grateful for Eliza's escape and subtly instructs Sam to delay the pursuit.

### [Eliza's Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-eliza-s-escape)

Listens to Sam's account with relief and gratitude that Eliza is safe.

### [XXI: Kentuck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxi-kentuck)

Determined to honor her promise to Tom and Chloe, she considers teaching music to raise money and supports Chloe's plan to work in Louisville.

### [The Young Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xli-the-young-master)

Mentioned as having received Miss Ophelia's letter and later managing the estate after Mr. Shelby's death.

### [The Liberator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/chapters/volume-ii-xliv-the-liberator)

Receives George with concern, comforts Chloe, and weeps over Tom's fate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/characters/mrs_shelby
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_tom_s_cabin_se/characters