Throughout history, the progress of a nation has been held back by so-called ideologies with only personal interest to back up their positions on issues. However, they would give “logical” reasons to people to not only attempt to justify themselves, but also convince them to take their stance on an issue, generally playing on their fears. Through the writings of the literary works we have read, you can see a repetitive theme, which is, no matter what point of history you look at, there have always been people attempting to withhold rights of another group of people, often a minority. These motivations for supporting depriving these rights were driven by personal interest of those in high influence positions, primarily the wealthy and others …show more content…
In the piece, Ain’t I a Woman, Sojourner Truth is describing her experiences as a black woman living in her modern day society, and how she is treated differently, not only from men, but also to white women, “nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles” (Gilbert, Guber, 1) Her argument for women’s rights is a perfect counter argument for the main reason men said they were against women being able to vote and have the same rights as men: men said that women couldn't do the same things men were capable of doing, yet she was a perfect example of a woman being capable of doing everything a man could. She goes into detail of everything she isn't suppose to do in the eyes of a man, but does anyway, because she is capable of doing so, “...man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere…or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman?” (Gilbert, Gubar, 1) She goes on to explain her physical traits that make her as capable as a man, “Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off …show more content…
It is also discussed where the line of when decisions should be made for the minority of the people, even when the majority does not agree. David Thoreau, the author of this piece, is describing his feelings based off what he has witnessed and experienced. He believes that the government should be able to govern fairly, and make decisions based off the best interests of the people, “I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it.” (Applebee, 2) Although government needs to work in the best interest of the people, he believes that they need to recognize when to make decisions for the minority of people. He says sometimes, the majority is not necessarily right or in favor of the best interest, but just the physically strongest, “Can there not be a government in which majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?- in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?” (Applebee, 2) This is where the government needs to make a decision in favor of the minority of the people because, however you would expect that the majority of any people deciding on something would be the best choice, in most cases, the majority of the people vote or decide something that may be in their
The title of this book comes from the inspiring words spoken by Sojourner Truth at the 1851, nine years prior to the Civil War at a Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. In Deborah Grays White, Ar’n’t I a woman her aim was to enrich the knowledge of antebellum black women and culture to show an unwritten side of history of the American black woman. Being an African- American and being a woman, these are the two principle struggles thrown at the black woman during and after slavery in the United States. Efforts were made by White scholars in 1985 to have a focus on the female slave experience. Deborah Gray White explains her view by categorizing the hardships and interactions between the female slave and the environment in which the slave was born. She starts with the mythology of the female slave by using mythologies such as Jezebel or Mammy, a picture that was painted of false images created by whites in the south. She then moves to differences between male and female slavery the harsh life cycle, the created network among the female community, customs for slave families and the trip from slavery to freedom, as well as differences between the female slave and the white woman, showing that there is more history than myth. (White, 5) Thus, bringing forth the light to the hardships and harassment that the black woman faced in the Antebellum South.
In Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” and Frederick Douglass’ “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” use rhetorical questions for emphasis, anecdotes to connect with the audience, counterarguments to Christianity’s opposing stance and repetition to force the audience to listen. These contemporaries used similar ways to prove their causes were not only worthy but necessary for society to move forward from its oppressing history. Both of them draw from personal experience, as former slaves. Although neither of them would live to see their goals fully realized, these speeches played an immense role in changing public opinion and they continue to inspire marginalized societies.
In my first analysis of Thoreau's essay, one of my strengths was being able to identify Thoreau's use of logos, or reasoning. In this instance, Thoreau draws from an example of a popular scholar, Paley, who argues: "'So long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed without public inconveniency, it is the will of God'" (Thoreau). In my analysis, I acknowledged Thoreau's citing of this quote and then demonstrated how he flipped Paley's argument. He reasons with the audience that doing the right thing, though sometimes unpleasant, will yield greater rewards in the long run.
...for him to do). Instead Thoreau believes that as unjust and imperfect as democracy is at that particular time, he looks to better times, a time when legislators have more wisdom and integrity and hold humanity in a higher regard. He recognizes that fairness exists in the hearts and minds of individuals, some whom he knows personally and he holds to a hope that men like these can and will transform what is in their conscience into a “state at last which can afford to be just to all men and to treat the individual with respect…”
Sojourner Truth, not content to remain in one place for any length of time, resumed her travels and spoke in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In Indiana, in the fall of 1858, Truth made another memorable gesture before an audience of both sexes, again related to gender. According to a report published in the abolitionist newspaper, the Boston Liberator, and republished in the second edition of Truth’s Narrative, after a hostile minister claimed that she was a man:   In vindication of her truthfulness, she told them that she would show her breast to the whole congregation; that it was not to her shame that she uncovered her breast before them, but to their shame. Her words were even more poignant since the war broke out in 1861. Although in her 60’s, Sojourner displayed the energy and determination that was inherent in her character when she visited and said words of encouragement to the black troops stationed at Detroit.
In “Ain’t I A Woman,” Sojourner Truth makes an impassioned case about how being black, a former slave, poor and a woman was formed at the intersection of her various ascribed group identities. On one hand, some argue that social definition such as race, religion, sex, and academic major defines who a person really is. From this perspective, one’s identity defines who he or she really is. It defines what he or she can do and what he or she cannot do. On the other hand, however, others argue that social definitions do not define a person and his or her abilities. In words of Sojourner Truth, “…[intellect] That’s it, honey. What’s that got to do with women’s rights or negroes’ rights?” (Truth 148) The controversial issue is the fact that a person’s
Truth mentions that a man said that “women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere.” She declares none of these acts have happened to her. She states she “could work as much and eat as much as a man - when [she] could get it - and bear the lash as well!” She also says she’s had thirteen children, most of them sold off as slaves. She spoke that “when [she] cried out with [her] mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard [her].” All of her statements end with “ain’t I a woman?” Her statements show how men say they should treat women, but do not uphold black women to these treatments. Truth shifted her speech towards religion after an audience member said women could not have as many rights as men because “Christ wasn’t a woman.” She mentions that the first woman “was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone,” and women should be able to fix it. She ended her statement by telling the audience that women are asking to fix it, and men should let them. Truth’s speech was an empowerment to change democracy. The speech helped to tell people at the time that the government, vested in the people, should not dismiss a woman’s thoughts or opinions because of her
Sojourner Truth, writer of When Woman Gets Her Rights Man Will Be Right, offers a critical article that exposes the reasons of why women should be included and taken into account when talking about human rights. Truth first starts by describing that the slaves have gotten their rights, but, she claims that there is a crucial problem: there is “not a word about the colored women” (37). This leads to the domination of women by men. In fact, Truth claims that black women work hard, and when they get home “[men] ask for their money and take it all, and then scold because there is no food” (37). Truth sees this as incredibly unfair and irrational; she rejects the notion that women are less
From these three men, we can learn the significance of detaching ourselves from the social norm and instead, fight for our values in a non-violent way, in order to make a change in our government’s corrupt and unjust laws. In “Resistance to Civil Government,” Thoreau articulates the importance he places on resistance against a powerful, controlling government. He opens his essay with a reference to the quote, “‘That government is best which governs not at all,’” and shares the motto, “‘That government is best which governs least’” (Civil).... ...
In the speech, "Ain't I a Woman?" Sojourner Truth gives examples of how she was robbed of womanhood and the amazing gift of motherhood. As a slave in the late 1700's to early 1800's, Truth is used for manual labor. Many people would expect Truth has gained others respect due to her unyielding work as a slave, but in reality all she wants is the respect of being a mother. The time period in which this speech is given gives Sojourner Truth the opportunity to explain her relations with white men and women and testify to the unequal treatment she has received. During Truth's speech she demands men's respect by alluding to nasty comments they recite throughout her speech and addressing these misconceptions. Although times have changed and women
Thoreau espouses that the democratic party listens to and answers the majority, which are the desires of the most powerful group. The problem with this is that the most virtuous or thoughtful group is left aside because the government only pays attention to what the strongest group says. A government functioning on this principle cannot be based on justice, because the ideas of what is right and wrong is decided by the majority, not by conscience. Thoreau writes, "Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience, then? I think we should be men first, and subjects afterward. (p.178 para. 4)" He claims that it is more important for people to develop a respect for the right, instead of having a respect for the law, for it is people’s duty to do what is right.
The speech was written because of its power and influence on the movement and the language and strategies she utilized played a huge role in it. Sojourner used her experiences as an enslaved woman and mother to build a connection with her audience. Black men in the audience could relate to her struggles as a slave and white women as a mother. Sojourner had showed her audience that a person can experience multiple systems of oppression and their presence should not be erased. Sojourner also repeatedly asked “and ain’t I a woman?” after her every rebuttal of sexist and racist stereotypes of women, which arguably was directed to the white women in the audience. The women’s rights movement solely focused on the experiences of white women under male dominance. By highlighting her experiences as a black woman and following it with asking “and ain’t I a woman?” Sojourner is calling out white feminists on their shortcomings. The movement would not be for women’s rights when it only advocates for the rights of white
There has been a long-established controversy over the duty of a citizen in a democracy, on which the Athenian philosopher, Socrates, and the American writer, Henry David Thoreau, had their own thoughts. Both philosophers had varying views on numerous subjects relating to government and conscience. Should the citizen obey all laws, even unjust ones? Or, should they rebel for the sake of doing what is right? Democracy is ruled by the people, for the people. In both Socrates’ time, and Thoreau’s, the question remains on whether this was, in practice, true. The two iconic philosophers’ opinions regarding the duty of the citizen in a democracy, the role of conscience, and the importance of nonviolent resistance, still influence people to this day. Their views augment the understanding people have of the current democracy, how consciences deal with right and wrong, and roles as citizens questioning every issue. Philosophy is often ingrained in the history, politics, and the environment
In "Civil Disobedience," Thoreau criticizes the American government for its democratic nature, namely, the idea of majority ruling. Like earlier transcendentalists, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thoreau believes in the importance of the individual. In a society where there are many individuals with conflicting perceptions and beliefs, Emerson chooses passivity and isolation to avoid conflict with others. However, unlike Emerson, Thoreau rejects passivity and challenges his readers to stand up against the government that focuses on majorities over individuals. Thoreau argues that when power is in the hands of the people, the majority rules, "not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest" (Thoreau 64). Thoreau portrays this very fundamental element of democracy, w...
For instance, in her essay, 'Ain't I a Woman?' Sojourner Truth delivers a powerful message and addresses the issues of women in the society. She argues that women should have equal rights, because they can do the same things as men. For example, she says,?That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place anywhere. Nobody helps me into no carriages, or over no mud puddles, or gives me any best place?