Rhetorical Analysis “and Ain’t I a Woman�? Essay Example
Daizelle Huggins
Engl 1301
Mr. Baggaley
9/17/11
Rhetorical Analysis “And Ain’t I a Woman”
In the speech “And Ain’t I a Woman” Sojourner Truth speaks on why women should have rights at the Woman’s Rights Convention in 1851. There were women, men, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Universalist ministers in the church who didn’t want Sojourner Truth to speak from when she walked in the door because she was a woman. The writer Frances Gage said “Again and again, timorous and trembling ones came to me and said, with earnestness,” “Don’t let her speak, Mrs. Gage, it will ruin us. Every newspaper in the land will have our cause mixed up with abolition and niggers, and we shall be utterly denounced.” (Truth 875) In those days there were very few women who dared to “speak in meeting.” (Truth 875) “Don’t let her speak” “gasped half a dozen in my ear”. (Truth 875) Out of all of the people in the Convention that did not want Sojourner Truth to speak they never deterred her. One man in the Convention claimed superior rights and privileges for man, on the ground of “superior intellect”. Sojourner Truth argued “What’s dat got to do wid womin’s rights or nigger’s rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yourn holds a quart, wouldn’t ye be mean not to let me have my little half-measure full?” (Truth 876) Another man, because of the “manhood of Christ; if God had desired the equality of woman, He would have given some token of His will through the birth, life, and death of the Savior.” (Truth 875) Sojourner Truth argued “War did your Christ come from?” “From God and a woman! Man had nothin’ to do wid Him.” (Truth 876) Another man gave a theological view of the “sin of our first mother.” (Truth 875) Sojourner Truth argued “If de fust woman God ever made was strong enough to turn de world upside down all alone, dese women togedder ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!” (Truth 876) Sojourner Truth felt if a man could do
Engl 1301
Mr. Baggaley
9/17/11
Rhetorical Analysis “And Ain’t I a Woman”
In the speech “And Ain’t I a Woman” Sojourner Truth speaks on why women should have rights at the Woman’s Rights Convention in 1851. There were women, men, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Universalist ministers in the church who didn’t want Sojourner Truth to speak from when she walked in the door because she was a woman. The writer Frances Gage said “Again and again, timorous and trembling ones came to me and said, with earnestness,” “Don’t let her speak, Mrs. Gage, it will ruin us. Every newspaper in the land will have our cause mixed up with abolition and niggers, and we shall be utterly denounced.” (Truth 875) In those days there were very few women who dared to “speak in meeting.” (Truth 875) “Don’t let her speak” “gasped half a dozen in my ear”. (Truth 875) Out of all of the people in the Convention that did not want Sojourner Truth to speak they never deterred her. One man in the Convention claimed superior rights and privileges for man, on the ground of “superior intellect”. Sojourner Truth argued “What’s dat got to do wid womin’s rights or nigger’s rights? If my cup won’t hold but a pint, and yourn holds a quart, wouldn’t ye be mean not to let me have my little half-measure full?” (Truth 876) Another man, because of the “manhood of Christ; if God had desired the equality of woman, He would have given some token of His will through the birth, life, and death of the Savior.” (Truth 875) Sojourner Truth argued “War did your Christ come from?” “From God and a woman! Man had nothin’ to do wid Him.” (Truth 876) Another man gave a theological view of the “sin of our first mother.” (Truth 875) Sojourner Truth argued “If de fust woman God ever made was strong enough to turn de world upside down all alone, dese women togedder ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!” (Truth 876) Sojourner Truth felt if a man could do