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Rhetorical Analysis Of Declaration Of Independence Only For Men

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Rhetorical Analysis Of Declaration Of Independence Only For Men
Evan Yip
Dr. Clausen-Brown
ENGL 122
21 April 2017
Declaration of Independence, Only for Men?: A Comparison of Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions Over two hundred years ago a small group of men broke away from a world super power to become an independent, sovereign, nation. A mere hundred years later the document penned and used to break relations with that super power was being used to break the bonds of traditional and cultural stereotypes within the new independent nation. The Declaration of Independence arose from a time of slavery, white supremacy, and the white land-owning male. It naturally didn’t specifically address women due to the stereotypes and culture of the day. Women …show more content…
Words like “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are recognized by many. While phrases like “…let facts be submitted to a candid world” may be less familiar (Jefferson 213). Jefferson uses this language and structure of words and phrases to emphasis the overarching resolve and frustration of the early colonies. He uses passionate language like “Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” to capture what he and the new Americans believe to be rightfully theirs as “unalienable rights” (Jefferson 213). This document is not only for the budding Americans, nor just the King of England, but it is a civil document of grievances intended for the whole known world to see clearly what the transgressions of King George are, and why the colonies are calling for desperate measures. It allows the world to see the reasoning and logic behind a set of actions. This is crucial to understanding how barely a hundred years later, Elizabeth Cody Stanton and the women’s movement is going to rework this influential document to point out some shortcomings and express their frustrations and reasoning to a “candid world” (Jefferson …show more content…
Perspective is what matters, it is what helped Jefferson write such a passionate and motivating Declaration of Independence. It is also what aided Stanton in rewording and reworking Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence to shift society’s perspective on women. It is hard to shift and turnabout a national stereotype, but using an effective tool, it is possible. Works Cited:
Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” The Seagull Reader: Essays, edited by Joseph Kelly. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. 2016. 213-216.
Stanton, Elizabeth. “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions.” The Seagull Reader: Essays, edited by Joseph Kelly. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. 2016.
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