In one part of Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stow, Mrs. Shelby has just discovered that her husband has agreed to sell two of their slaves, including the adult Tom and a young boy. Mrs. Shelby pleads with him to reconsider. The following excerpt is Mr. Shelby's explanation of their predicament. I'm sorry you feel so about it,—indeed I am, said Mr. Shelby; and I respect your feelings, too, though I don't pretend to share them to their full extent; but I tell you now, solemnly, it's of no use—I can't help myself. I didn't mean to tell you this Emily; but, in plain words, there is no choice between selling these two and selling everything. Either they must go, or all must. Haley has come into possession of a mortgage, which, if I don't clear off with him directly, will take everything before it. I've raked, and scraped, and borrowed, and all but begged,—and the price of these two was needed to make up the balance, and I had to give them up. Haley fancied the child; he agreed to settle the matter that way, and no other. I was in his power and had to do it. If you feel so to have them sold, would it be any better to have them all sold? You might remember that the author of this passage was bitterly opposed to slavery. What response was she hoping her readers would have to Mr. Shelby's logic? They would agree that selling the slaves was necessary but extremely unfortunate.
They would agree with Mr. Shelby that he had no other choice than to sell the slaves.
They would find Mr. Shelby's decision cruel despite the reason he gives for the decision. They would believe that Mr. Shelby could easily find a way to make everyone happy.