Stowe uses this psychological discomfort to motivate her readers to challenge the institution of slavery. According to cognitive dissonance theory, this conflict between the characters' actions and beliefs should produce psychological discomfort, both in the characters and in Stowe's readers.

In doing so, they maintain an institution that dehumanizes slaves and violates their basic rights. However, many of the characters act in ways that perpetuate the system of slavery. They believe that slaves are human beings worthy of compassion and deserving of humane treatment.

In Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, the majority of the characters believe that slavery is wrong. Although this is not particularly problematic with regard to behaviors with limited consequences, such as the belief that one should eat healthfully or call your mother once a week, when this mindset is applied to larger social issues, it leads individuals to support institutions and actions that they ideologically oppose. Though our society values and admires those who 'walk the talk' and 'put their money where their mouth is,' we believe that it is sometimes difficult or impossible to act in the ways dictated by one's ideals. People often act in ways that contradict their expressed beliefs. How to 'Feel Right:' Cognitive Dissonance in Uncle Tom's Cabin Laura Sockol How to 'Feel Right:' Cognitive Dissonance in Uncle Tom's Cabin

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