How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. (1)
Here, Truth was easing the audience in to anticipate that most of her arguments for suffrage would also serve as arguments for abolition. And, oh yeah: she was making fun of all the long-winded speeches that came before her.
Quote #2
Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? (5-6)
Instead of focusing about being denied the right to vote like earlier speeches at the convention, Sojourner was concerned with being treated fairly as a Black woman. She was trying to focus the point that there could be no equality for the female of the species until all women were able to enjoy the same rights.
Instead of focusing about being denied the right to vote like earlier speeches at the convention, Sojourner was concerned with being treated fairly as a Black woman. She was trying to focus the point that there could be no equality for the female of the species until all women were able to enjoy the same rights.
Quote #3
If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full? (18)
This metaphor spells out the inequality between men and women, and between white people and Black people. Truth is basically saying the only reason to deny somebody rights was out of pure spite.
Quote #4
Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman (19)!
Subjugating an entire gender based on one male figure—no matter how important—just isn't fair. It's also not terribly logical.
Quote #5
If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. (24-25)
The actual reason to oppose suffrage wasn't that women were illogical or weak, but that the men power didn't want to see their established patterns upset by a massive increase in voters.