Championing Women's Rights: The Seneca Falls Declaration

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It was not until the early 20th century, that women officially gained the right to vote and participate in legislation. Unlike men, women were deprived of their basic rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They were discouraged from receiving education, and their achievements were not recognized as they were for male counterparts. As a result of women suffering, Elizabeth Cady Stanton decided to petition for women suffrage by drafting the Seneca Falls Declaration, a lengthy document written to resolve inequality between men and women. Through the use of a few select rhetorical devices, Stanton effectively argues for the importance of equal rights and opportunities for women in the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.” …show more content…

Because the Declaration of Independence is such a well-known and sacred piece, her commentary on the sexual discrimination of Jefferson’s work sparks both support and outrage. Surprisingly, both men and women agreed on her view, yet plenty of women criticized her daring ideas. Unlike Cady Stanton, who is highly educated, some females felt content with their lives and were profoundly against change. These females assumed that they were incapable of performing at the same level as males. According to Stanton, “He has withheld from her rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men” (273). Stanton believes that it is unfair how even the most trivial men have rights, but women do not. All women educated or not, deserve the same rights as men. Overall, Stanton’s use of the parody does a wonderful job in delivering her views on the vitality of gender equality. Stanton elaborates on Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence, but unlike Jefferson, she discusses the flaws in gender inequality. For instance, she states, “He has made her, if married, in the law, civilly dead. He has taken away from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns” (273). Although Jefferson claims in his declaration that all people have natural rights, the general population did not associate his plans for women. Stanton comments on how women 's basic rights are not fulfilled because they are not allowed ownership of property or wage. To a degree, Stanton not only depicts her opinions on gender inequality, but also conveys her anguish on the

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