Ain't I a Woman? (Speech) Literary Elements

Political Speech

Women's Rights Convention, 1851, Akron, Ohio

Sojourner Truth is the speaker. She speaks from both her own point of view and that of women more generally.

Truth speaks with a passionate tone meant to change minds and inspire action. This is typical of the political speeches given by orators of the day.

Truth is the implicit protagonist of her speech, and she frames white men as the antagonists.

The major conflict is between women and slaves, demanding equality, and men.

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Truth includes several biblical allusions in her speech. First, she alludes to the story of Adam and Eve to demonstrate that women deserve a second chance, even after Even's sinning. Second, she discusses the story of Lazarus, and Jesus' compassion towards Mary and Martha. Lastly, she mentions the birth of Jesus as final evidence for women's central role in her religion and thus why they should be allowed their rights.

Truth employs imagery of the physical labor she has performed as a slave that makes her equal, she says, to any man. She similarly evokes religious imagery to advocate for equality.

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Truth begins her speech with the statement, "I am a woman's rights," thereby suggesting she personifies women's rights.