Campbell Discussion

OPTION ONE:

Based on the text given, I could definitely tell that the "Declaration of Sentiments" document was meant to inspire women and be used as a source for the woman's rights movement. Many of the figures noted in the text were extremely important in facilitating the woman's rights movement. This document was a call to women to come and listen to both men and women fights for the fair and just treatment of other activists. The public, mainly ladies, were encouraged to join the convention (1). This text was certainly designed to inspire women, and sympathetic men, into action.

At the beginning of the text, the creators of the "Declaration of Sentiments" play off of the "Declaration of Independence" very wittily: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal..." (2). This insertion of this singular word completely changes the context of original piece and forces the reader to realize that it is absurd that women were not included in the assertions of equality. This document brings to light the unjust treatment of women and how they have been forced into subordination for far too many years. Also, they bring up the point that when a government is no longer appropriately working towards the common good of all mankind, it is the public's right to refuse allegiance to it (2). They make it clear that when the government is not including all of the people in fair treatment, it is politically incorrect and unjust. These individuals feel that it is time for women to no longer be second class to men in not only society in general, but also to the government.

The rest of the text concentrates mostly on the equal and fair treatment of women and the atrocities that have been forced upon them for years. They discuss all of the things that women have no been able to do simply because they are women. Basically, it lists all of the things that men have kept women from doing over hundreds of years, yet have allowed themselves to do for that same period of time. They are calling attention to the fact that this treatment is extremely unfair and that women deserve to have the same rights as men. This document was used to inspire individuals to realize that it is time for something new-for something better for women.

The word that I chose to look up was "woman." I Thought that it would be interesting to see how it was used in texts. In one specific text by Mrs. E. L. Rose, she uses woman in a very powerful way: "WOMAN is rising in the full dignity of her being to claim the recognition of her rights. And though the first public demonstration has been here, already has the voice of Woman in behalf of her sex been carried as it were on the wings of lightning to all parts of Europe, whose echo has brought back the warmest and most heartfelt responses from our sisters there" (Mrs. Rose's Address 4). I feel like this is a very empowering use of the word "woman" and definitely differs from the typical way it is inserted into texts in a negative way.

READING RESPONSE:

I feel that Karlyn Kohrs Campbell really took into consideration a variety of aspects in order to better understand women's speaking and writing. I think that she definitely understands that men were always the ones that are expected to speak, write, and be politically active. This means that because men are the ones that are supposed to be doing these things, it is odd and different when a woman wants to participate. Her place is supposed to be inside the home, taking care of the domestic problems of the household. She is not supposed to be speaking her mind through public displays of speaking and writing. We definitely have to look at how this notion affects the ways in which women spoke and wrote during that time period. For instance, Emma Hart Willard had to remain seated when she presented "A Plan for Impoving Female Education" to make sure that the men did not think she was trying to give a speech. It is incredible to think that just because she was sitting down, they would consider her, but if she stood up, they would immediately take offense to it. Women definitely had to walk the gender-fence in order to speak their minds, yet still be heard. I think Campbell was definitely aware of this.