Rhetorical Analysis Of Sojourner Truth's Speech

The topic of this speech is sufferage, specifically women's right to vote. This speech was delivered at a women's convention in Akron, Ohio to a group of white people. The purpose behind Sojourner Truth giving this speech was to allow women the right to vote. She made her tone very clear through diction and figurative language, she was determine to make it so women would finally have the right to vote. The tone present in this speech is determined and inspirational. This speech was a very powerful and has been an inspiration for decades.

One piece of figurative language Sojourner Truth uses is an analogy. She says “If my cup won't hold but a pint and yours hold a quart wouldn't you be mean not to let me have a little half measure full.” She speaking about how it is unfair for some to have so much when some have so little. She also uses biblical allusions. “ God and a woman.” This connects to the audience’s religious and moral side. Truth uses anecdotes to gain empathy from the audience. “I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery” when she talks about her children and what happened to them she connects with the audience which is the key to the speech having any influence at all. Sojourner truth also uses pathos in her speech. “I cried in my mother's grief.” She uses this to gain sympathy and empathy from the audience to try and connect with them, and show them

Like many slaves her vocabulary was not advanced. This diction is not only due to her lack of education but because everyone could relate to this level of speech. Another example of diction is “Ain't I a woman” which is again slaying and repeated over and over emphasizing the importance of the rhetorical question. When Truth referenced God she said “Man had nothing to do with ‘Him’ ” The reason “Him” is capitalized is to show respect and there's also the way it is written in the