Ain't I a Woman? (Speech)

Ain't I a Woman? (Speech) Character List

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner does not address herself by name in the speech, but she does reference herself throughout the speech. According to her description, she is as strong as many as the result of a lifetime of plowing, reaping, husking, chopping, cutting and carrying just as much any man. She possesses a keen political understanding of scripture and reveals herself a master of the rhetorical devices utilized in the art of persuasion.

Eve

Truth references Eve from the Bible to allude to the generally accepted religious dogma that her actions in the Garden of Eden were directly responsible for bringing sin to mankind. She introduces this notion to suggest that any woman that powerful surely deserves a second chance to use her power to correct her mistake.

Mary and Martha

Mary and Martha are the brothers of Lazarus. Truth moves from Eve to these two sisters as evidence that Jesus was willing to give women a chance.

Lazarus

Lazarus is the brother of Mary and Martha. In response to their grief, Jesus not only does not turn his back on them, he performs a miracle to end their suffering. The dead and buried Lazarus is resurrected back to life by Jesus.

Jesus

Truth alludes to Jesus several times in her story, proving her intense religiosity and also lending credibility to her words.