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he two sides of a coin. In others words, what a language symbol points to is the whole language system rather than the real world. And the non-referential nature of language also determines the non-referential nature of parole. Language symbols are not only non-referential but also differential. In terms of the signifier and the signified, language cannot have the concept or sound that precedes the language system, and what language owns is only the differences of concept and sound that are generated by this system (1980: 167). Differences produce meaning, and the meaning of language symbols is generated from the differences and connections with other language symbols. Saussure described this difference system as the syntagmatic relation and the paradigmatic relation.

Chapter 2 Intertextuality in Themes

2.1 Racial Discrimination

Taking the story of Uncle Tom as the main line, Uncle Tom’s Cabin narrates the tragic fate of a series of black slaves, deeply revealing the evil of cruel slavery. The issue of racial discrimination rooted in slavery is vividly reflected in the novel. 

At the beginning of the novel, when Mr. Shelby has to sell Tom to Haley to pay his debts, Uncle Tom still chooses to stay rather than escaping just to live up to the trust by his owner; in the boat on the Mississippi River, Uncle Tom tries his best to save Eva who accidentally falls into the water; in Legree’s manor, Uncle Tom takes the initiative to help other weak slaves even if he is extremely tired and he is still unwilling to disclose the whereabouts of Cassy and Emmeline who escaped even under the merciless whip of the cruel slave owner. It is such a man who is sincere, kind, selfless and firm in faith that finally dies in the hands of Legree, the cruel and ruthless slave owner after twists and turns. Uncle Tom’s generous and kind image forms a sharp contrast with his tragic end that is conducive to setting off the evil of racial discrimination, which exactly lies in the influence and artistic appeal of the novel. George Harris, a half-blood slave, is rented out by his master to work in a linen factory and is valued by the factory owner and loved by others in the factory on account of his cleverness and proper behaviors. However, good times don’t last long. George’s owner is so dissatisfied with George’s good reputation that he rushes to the factory: 

He was waited upon over the factory, shown the machinery by George, who, in high spirits, talked so fluently, held himself so erect, looked so handsome and manly, that his master began to feel an uneasy consciousness of inferiority. What business had his slave to be marching round the country, inventing machines, and holding up his head among gentlemen? He’d soon put a stop to it. He’d take him back, and put him to hoeing and digging, and“see if he’d step about so smart.”Accordingly, the manufacturer and all hands concerned were astounded when he suddenly demanded George’s wages, and announced his intention of taking him home. (Stowe, 2008: 17)  

2.2 Sexual Discrimination

Both Mrs. Stowe and Alice Walker choose the same theme of racial discrimination in the two novels, highlighting the tragic fate and difficult situation of the black people under the domination of the whites. It should be noted that the two novels also focus on revealing that black women in the black nation are suffer本论文由英语论文网提供整理，提供论文代写，英语论文代写，代写论文，代写英语论文，代写留学生论文，代写英文论文，留学生论文代写相关核心关键词搜索。