Aren't I a Woman Response

Dejection and anguish is a constant remedy presented to beings considered insignificant. Those who seek to disobey the decrees layed out will for ever in a day remember pain, as is the mind set placed into them to believe that brighter days do not exist. Of Course, there is always an execption: should you be a Caucasian or one belonging to true woman-hood, then the concept of despair does not apply. In Sojourner Truth’s text, “Aren’t I a Woman?” the author seeks to break that negative mind set that holds those of her own in bondage. Physically, slavery has ended for those in the African American community. However, mentally, they are still held. Truth does not focus on “Negros” per say, her attention is drawn more towards the women of her society. Who even when they are no longer bounded by slavery, they are considered to be at the lowest of ranks and continue to be dehumanized. This battle for recognition takes on a serious note. Truth gets her message of awakening the voice within women across using an unexpected use of word choice, a playful underlining tone, and tends to become thoroughly vivid in her use of imagery. The author structures her text in a way that it grabs oppressors presented in her tale that enough is enough.

“Well children, where there is so much racket there must be some-thing o’kilter”. (Sojourner Truths). Upon first reading this text, there is nothing beyond the ordinary about it. However, there is a purpose to why the sentence is structured in the manner that it is written. Without implying it the author cautions readers to remember the audience in which she’s speaking to. Truth is not speaking to children, but rather grown women. Her use of diction allows readers to understand that though the audience she speaks to are women, they still have the mental capacity of children. Truth in her own way has evolved. The now present author who was once a slave herself raised herself from the degrading state the world placed her under. Another keen perspective the author employs readers to take note of is that perhaps even her use of diction can conflict with her audience. She wants the women of her community to understand why the mind set of being worthless no longer affects her. Before Truth even opens her mouth to speak just by gazing on her skin color, the comparison of her audience to her skin color based on appearance will be “she is just like me”. However, when she begins to speak there is a difference. Though those in the African American race look alike, she has evolved in believing that there is a future for women where “they too will be lifted over ditches, and have the best place everywhere”. The writer does not require inspiration, she’s rather there to inspire since she is
not the one sitting in the crowd.

“Look at me”! These words do not present itself in the same playful tone as the writer gives her speech. Her words are commanding and not only does it take the attention that it deserves, it also creates a vivid image to readers that it is not a pleasant thing they are forced to gaze upon when the author asks them to look at her. Standing before the audience is not as one will imagine a graceful being who has managed to avoid all of life’s challenges and become successful. Truth can stand before these women because she shares the same scars as they do. Herself appearance is evident enough. The author has indeed increased in knowledge; however the scars to remind her how she got to that position will never alter. When presenting her own self as imagery, readers are introduced to how stern the author is. Truth takes a step back from the underlining playful tone she used to grab readers attention when she first began her tale.

There are those it has been said about them that they will never make it. The curse of society’s way structure and reason has set it in a way that that their mind has been embedded deeply to believe this concept. However, there are always those who know and have the right words to say to break that mental negative mind set and stand waiting until they see a future worth speaking of for all.