Question

Write a 250-word essay in which you describe the speaker’s use of tone in "Ain’t I a Woman?" Use examples from the text to support your response.

Answer 1

She gave the speech in response to a man's statement about the weakness and inferiority of women. This happened at a convention on the rights of women in Ohio, in 1851. She was convinced that she deserved the same rights as white men or women and was determined to be heard.

At the beginning of the speech she uses a relaxed, direct tone generating  empathy and warming up the audience: out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the blacks of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about? (1-3)

While the speech continues, the tone changes and becomes vigorous and empowering. She gives credibility (Ethos) to the speech by talking about her personal experiences as a slave: "work as much and eat as much as a man ... and bear the lash as well!"

She uses sevaral devices such as pathos. For example when she shares hes experiences of his motherhood and her feelings in relation to it: I have borne thirteen children and seen all sold off to slavery and when I cried out with my mother grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

To achieve certain communicative outcomes, tone and formality are fundamental in the development of discourse. Everything is based on the intentionality of what is going to be transmitted. Sojourner Truth talked to the audience and shared their point of view, invited them to stand next to her.