the book has also been seen as trying to show that masculinity was important in stopping slavery. abolitionists began to change the way they thought of violent men. they wanted men to help stop slavery without hurting their self-image or their position in society. because of this, some abolitionists followed some of the principles of women's suffrage, peace, and christianity. they praised men for helping, working together, and having mercy. other abolitionists were more traditional: they wanted men to act more forcefully. all the men in stowe's book show either patient men or traditional men.