Analysis Of Crystal Eastman's Now We Can Begin

Since colonial days women in America have fought against historical limitations that were ingrained in early American society. Women were held to many expectations that limited the control of their own life. They were expected to raise children that would grow into American leaders. They were pressured to keep order and cleanliness in the home while being burdened with the job of satisfying a husband that many times, viewed them as possessions. Women had to fight for something so easily given to men: equality. By 1920 women not only began to break the domestic expectations placed by society, but they won the right to vote. Although women surpassed a great barrier in their path to freedom, Crystal Eastman believed their journey was just beginning.

Eastman’s speech “Now We Can Begin” alludes to the ideals many early feminist fought for since the early birth of the United States.

One of the most famous early American feminist was Abigail Adams. As early as 1776, Mrs. Adams spelled out her grievances with the male power structure in a letter she wrote to John Adams in March of that year. She wrote,” I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them then your ancestors” (Hymowitz and Weissman 36). Unfortunately, Adams’ pleas for equal consideration in the Constitution fell on deaf ears. Similarly, in 1848 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott decided to hold a women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York (Hymowitz and Weissman 36). During this time women had already begun to assert themselves in redefining gender norms. The Declaration of Sentiments, presented during the convention, was well received by the 300 women in attendance. There were twelve key grievances listed, but the twelfth grievance shocked the audience when it suggested that women be given the right to vote. It would have seemed that this momentum would set the stage for the advancement of women’s rights, but unfortunately the Civil War impeded this from

occurring.
Following this was the period of industrialization and progressivism. Women were able to work in factories and challenge the destiny of their sex (Eastman). Relationships were redefined and terms like dating became the new norm. Technologies like the car and social gathering spots also allowed women to determine who they would like to marry. This shift in American culture increased premarital sex, eventually leading to undesired pregnancies (Faue). Women found themselves fighting for birth control and “argued that limiting births improved the quality of marriage and family life, extended the time devoted to educating children, and allowed women to become better mothers” (Faue). Arguments against these beliefs came from men who believed contraceptives were unhealthy and “violated the sanction of motherhood” (Ford). While many women strived for sexual equality, the majority still wanted children they could raise. With the decreasing number of child death rates, families were more loving then previous generations (“Women and family, 1900-1937”). Mothers cherished their children creating a healthier environment in which to grow up.
By the early twentieth century groups like the NAWSA and the Congressional Union For Women’s Suffrage emerged with different views on how to achieve the right to vote. Many women's right advocates believed communist ideals could help women reach this important milestone (Glass). Unfortunately, due to World War I and communist connections to European enemies these ideals were offensive to Americans, therefore rejected. There were many key figures that emerged within the early women’s movement who received great notoriety, but there were lesser known players who made a decidedly important impact. One of these women was Crystal Eastman. She was highly educated, graduating with a PhD from New York University of Law School in 1907. Crista DeLuzio explains, “She was an activist who sought worker safety, birth control access, mothers endowments, and equality for women and men” (138). In 1920, after the ratification of the 19th amendment, Eastman wrote “Now We Can Begin,” a speech centered around women’s rights.
In her speech given in 1920 after the ratification of the 19th amendment, Eastman stresses the need for women to become independent from men. She believes that the only way this can be done is by creating a society where everyone is economically and sexually equal. The speech relies on the logical comparison of gender stereotypes to point out struggles women face and how they should be addressed. Her powerful word choice coupled with strategically chosen details emotionally draw her audience to her points. The most essential part of Eastman’s speech is her tone which emphasizes the need for cultural change. Altogether these strategies successfully convinced women that employing economic and sexual equality between the sexes is essential for women to reach spiritual freedom.
Eastman’s usage of comparison throughout her piece exemplifies the injustices present for women of the twentieth century. When starting her speech the first thing she establishes is the different reactions of men and women towards the passing of the 19th amendment. Men believe that “this everlasting women’s fight [is] over!” whereas women know this is nearly the beginning of their efforts (Eastman). By establishing these differences between the sexes, she sets up her argument of why these barriers must be changed. Later in her speech Eastman stresses that,
“ She may be… a busy executive at her office all day, but unlike him she is also an executive in a small way every night and morning at home”(Eastman). This comparison connects to the audience, since most of these women have been slaves to the social morals of the time period. With this simple example that her audience can relate to, Eastman sparks a fire in many of these women to strive for a change in these expectations. She also expresses the parallels of raising a girl and a boy. Eastman then explains how many young men have “cultivated ignorance” on domestic work, but young ladies are held to the highest standards (Eastman). This contrast she focuses on shows a small change that can be made to avoid sexist sons, caused by the acceptance of male laziness in the house. With a logical approach she convinces women that children, no matter the sex, must be raised to be independent in every sense.
Certain key phrases found in Eastman’s piece strengthen her claim by using emotions to grab the audience’s attention.

Through out this speech Eastman uses phrases like “Bread and butter slave, performers, women’s slavery” to describe women and their history (Eastman). As seen since the Declaration of Independence, women were ignored and forced to serve men. By using the word slavery, it reenforces the hardships women have had to face. Connecting the life of a women to slavery appeals to the audience in an emotional way. This emotional connection to the piece motivates women to want change of the cultural norm that has inhibited them for so long. Also, Eastman states, “And his wife, one usually finds, is raising his children in a Bronx flat or dreary suburb, to which he returns occasionally for food or sleep when all possible excitement and stimulus have been wrung from the fight”(Eastman). The essential word is “his.” Although she could have said “their” or “her” Eastman does something essential early on with this word. By saying that the children are his, Eastman is emphasizing the corrupt societal right given to men that she so strongly wants to overthrow. Women hearing the speech unconsciously realize how even the simplest of things are still to be changed to gain the freedom they so

desire.
The selection of key details allows Eastman to include the largest amount of women so they agree with her claim. Early on Eastman explains that women should have the choice of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. She then explains that women can have kids and that when she does so she should be supported economically by her employer (Eastman). It was essential for this detail to be included because many women of the time wanted to be mothers. If she were to urge women to quit motherhood altogether, like many women advocates, the audience would have a negative reaction closing them off from the rest of her points. Another key detail Eastman included was the counter argument of communism. Eastman is aware that many women’s rights leaders are active leaders in socialism and communism (Eastman). Many of these women argued that this was the solution to reaching equality between men. With a example of the more rooted cultural inequality found in American society, Eastman disproved this solution to the rock in the path to women’s freedom. By including the detail of communism to reach equity, Eastman exemplifies the need for cultural change, not political change.
The most important device is the passionate tone that is shaped by the structure of her sentences and riveting questions. To establish this tone she includes short sentences in the beginning and end of her speech. At the end she says, “It will be time enough to consider whether she has a soul”(Eastman). Compared to the rest of her speech, this sentence stands out because it is short and to the point. It leaves the audience suddenly from the long winded and passionate sentences throughout her piece. Her questions also contribute to the tone immensely. When she asks questions she builds a sense of anticipation, passion, and determination that she continues to strengthen. When speaking of raising children Eastman questions,
“Sons? Daughters? They are born of women- - how can women be free to choose their occupation, at all times cherishing their economic independence, unless they stop having children? If the feminism program goes to pieces on the arrival of the first baby, it is false and useless. For ninety-nine out of every hundred women want children, and seventy-five out of every hundred want to take care of their own children or at any rate so closely superintend their care as to make any other full- time occupation impossible for at least ten or fifteen years. Is there any such thing then as freedom of choice in occupation for women? And is not family the inevitable economic unit and women’s individual economic independence, at least during that time period, out of question?”(Eastman)
After asking questions, Eastman does not hesitate to answer them fully, proving that she has addressed all parts of her argument. That in and of itself makes her more credible but more importantly displays her passion for women freedom.
The Aristotelian appeals of logos, pathos, and ethos help Crystal Eastman prove that raising children with feminist ideals, giving women rights for contraceptives,and establishing economic equality will allow women to gain spiritual freedom. With the hardships of women’s journey in mind, and her awareness of the audience, Eastman is able to ignite the reform of societal and cultural expectations of women in the twentieth century.