And ain't I a woman? Look at me, look at my arm! I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns and no man could head me. . . And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man--when I could get to it--and bear the lash as well and ain't I a woman? I have born 13 children and seen most all sold into slavery and when I cried out a mother's grief none but Jesus heard me. . .and ain't I a woman? (Truth).
This section of Sojourner Truth's speech was touching to me and also demonstrated realism. Truth is talking about how she can work just as hard as a man, and if not harder, but she is still continuing to be overlooked regardless. Truth is giving real life examples to prove her points and show the readers what exactly her life was like as a slave.
Given the time period, it is understandable as to why she would write about slavery. Truth grew up in slavery, so she would have plenty to write about. Also, I can understand that Sojourner would have a lot of emotions and feelings towards slavery because she has spent a long time being a slave, but then went on to help organize the Underground Railroad. By doing that, she was able to help harbor her emotions toward slavery and the cruelty that was bestowed on her and the rest of the slaves. She did not choose to be put into slavery, it was something she was basically born into, so she ended up retaliating by writing and organizing the Underground Railroad to help with her feelings.
She demonstrates realism through her writing so that the reader can get a better understanding as to what exactly Truth was going through and why life was so difficult for her. For starters, she is a woman, which they did not have life that good to begin with. Then, add on top of that that she is a slave, and things just are not looking up for her anytime soon.
The one thing I found interesting in her poem/speech is when she said that she was born into a family of thirteen kids. Life must have been difficult for her because she had to actually do something to make a name for herself, and then she went and got sold into slavery at the age of nine, so it is not like she was able to actually do anything before she was sold into slavery (Women in History). That just goes to further prove my hypothesis that she helped start the Underground Railroad to make a name for herself. Which, she did, as she is one of the most well known women in history.
In addition to being a big part of the Underground Railroad movement and helping to abolish slavery, she did write a very moving speech which has been adapted into a poem and read throughout the nation. I actually liked the speech, although I thought I would not. She wrote and conveyed her feelings very well and I was able to understand how angry she was.
Works Cited:
Truth, Sojourner. "Ain't I A Woman." Sojourner Truth. 14 July 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2011..
Women in History. Sojourner Truth biography. Feb. 8 11 . Lakewood Public Library. Date accessed 2/8/2011 ..
Given the time period, it is understandable as to why she would write about slavery. Truth grew up in slavery, so she would have plenty to write about. Also, I can understand that Sojourner would have a lot of emotions and feelings towards slavery because she has spent a long time being a slave, but then went on to help organize the Underground Railroad. By doing that, she was able to help harbor her emotions toward slavery and the cruelty that was bestowed on her and the rest of the slaves. She did not choose to be put into slavery, it was something she was basically born into, so she ended up retaliating by writing and organizing the Underground Railroad to help with her feelings.
She demonstrates realism through her writing so that the reader can get a better understanding as to what exactly Truth was going through and why life was so difficult for her. For starters, she is a woman, which they did not have life that good to begin with. Then, add on top of that that she is a slave, and things just are not looking up for her anytime soon.
The one thing I found interesting in her poem/speech is when she said that she was born into a family of thirteen kids. Life must have been difficult for her because she had to actually do something to make a name for herself, and then she went and got sold into slavery at the age of nine, so it is not like she was able to actually do anything before she was sold into slavery (Women in History). That just goes to further prove my hypothesis that she helped start the Underground Railroad to make a name for herself. Which, she did, as she is one of the most well known women in history.
In addition to being a big part of the Underground Railroad movement and helping to abolish slavery, she did write a very moving speech which has been adapted into a poem and read throughout the nation. I actually liked the speech, although I thought I would not. She wrote and conveyed her feelings very well and I was able to understand how angry she was.
Works Cited:
Truth, Sojourner. "Ain't I A Woman." Sojourner Truth. 14 July 1998. Web. 8 Feb. 2011.
Women in History. Sojourner Truth biography. Feb. 8 11 . Lakewood Public Library. Date accessed 2/8/2011 .
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