Explanation:
Sojourner Truth was renowned in her time for her speaking and singing ability. Although she could neither read nor write, she had people read to her, especially the Bible, and from this she developed her unique voice about how the world worked and how it could be improved. She sounds like a down-to-earth preacher in many of her speeches.
âThroughout her rhetoric she employed her characteristic sharp wit and her engaging narrative style as she sought to influence her hearers.â (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 89)
âAs one of the few African American women speaking publicly at the time, the renown and respect Truth achieved for herself truly were remarkable.â (Fitch and Mandziuk, ibid)
âWomen leaders of that time were very impressed with her. Lucy Stone described Truth as âwise, unselfish, brave and goodâ and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote of âthe marvelous wisdom and goodness of this remarkable woman.ââ (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 90)
We would like to give you, the reader, the flavor of Sojournerâs style and wit. The following are excerpts from speeches she gave over many years.
On Womenâs Rights
Sojourner Truthâs Famous Speech: Arânât I A Woman? â Ainât I a Woman?
Sojourner Truth gave what is now known as her most famous speech at the 1851 Womenâs Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, but it is questionable that she said the words, âAinât I a Woman?â or even âArânât I A Woman?â No actual record of the speech exists, but Frances Gage, an abolitionist and president of the Convention (and also a poet), recounted Truthâs words in the National Anti-Slavery Standard, May 2, 1863. The accuracy of this account has been challenged for several reasons: the delayed timeâtwelve years after the event took place, Gageâs use of a southern dialect, choice of language, and some clear errors about Sojournerâs life. Gage reports Sojourner saying she had âborne 13 children and seen âem mosâ all sold off to slavery,â but she had five chSojourner Truth was renowned in her time for her speaking and singing ability. Although she could neither read nor write, she had people read to her, especially the Bible, and from this she developed her unique voice about how the world worked and how it could be improved. She sounds like a down-to-earth preacher in many of her speeches.
âThroughout her rhetoric she employed her characteristic sharp wit and her engaging narrative style as she sought to influence her hearers.â (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 89)
âAs one of the few African American women speaking publicly at the time, the renown and respect Truth achieved for herself truly were remarkable.â (Fitch and Mandziuk, ibid)
âWomen leaders of that time were very impressed with her. Lucy Stone described Truth as âwise, unselfish, brave and goodâ and Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote of âthe marvelous wisdom and goodness of this remarkable woman.ââ (Fitch and Mandziuk, p. 90)
We would like to give you, the reader, the flavor of Sojournerâs style and wit. The following are excerpts from speeches she gave over many years.
On Womenâs Rights
Sojourner Truthâs Famous Speech: Arânât I A Woman? â Ainât I a Woman?
Sojourner Truth gave what is now known as her most famous speech at the 1851 Womenâs Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, but it is questionable that she said the words, âAinât I a Woman?â or even âArânât I A Woman?â No actual record of the speech exists, but Frances Gage, an abolitionist and president of the Convention (and also a poet), recounted Truthâs words in the National Anti-Slavery Standard, May 2, 1863. The accuracy of this account has been challenged for several reasons: the delayed timeâtwelve years after the event took place, Gageâs use of a southern dialect, choice of language, and some clear errors about Sojournerâs life. Gage reports Sojourner saying she had âborne 13 children and seen âem mosâ all sold off to slavery,â but she had five ch