Sojourner Truth Rhetorical Analysis

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In 1851, a former slave Sojourner Truth addresses a women's convention in Ohio. To keep the women fired up about equal rights and “get [the world] right side up again!” In order to achieve her purpose, Sojourner appeals to the emotions of her audience.One way she does this is when she says , “I could work as much . . . as a man . . . and bear the lash as well ?” the thought of her being whipped would likely cause most of them to feel sympathy and relate to the broken skin falling off their backs.By establishing her emotions with the audience, they will likely follow the recommendation of the speaker. Another way she appeals to pathos occurs when she recalls , “I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery.” As women bearers of children their biggest fear is losing their child especially to …show more content…

There are three literary devices sojourner uses, one major device is personification because sojourner repeats the question “Ain't i a women” to emphasize that she is a Women even though she can plough and take a whippin just as a man can. In addition she also uses imagery “she proved them wrong by unbuttoning her shirt and baring herself to the audience.” also by saying “if my cup won’t hold but a pint, . . . wouldn’t you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?” Furthermore, Sojourner Truth being emotionally justified with her facts and logic by saying “well children” . . . “what's that they call it ?” . . . “that’s it honey” is an example of loaded diction , besides just using personification and literary devices she explores her options to make her speech more appealing . By appealing to the audience's emotions, structuring the speech in an intentional manner, by incorporating stylistic devices, Sojourner Truth delivers an effective speech, urging women to bond together and stand up for their

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