Analyzing Florence Kelley's Speech

In Florence Kelley's speech (1905), she argues in favor of reducing child labor through the National American Woman Suffrage Association in Philadelphia, forcing the federal government to alter the amendment for child suffrage. Kelley expands her ideas by developing logos, pathos, and anaphora throughout the entire speech in an urgent argumentative tone. Using examples from children’s experiences, she successfully develops an effective argument that convinces the audience of the Suffrage Association to reconsider child labor laws and alter the working conditions of young children. Kelley heavily relies on logos in order to remind people of the economic (labor) issues the country is facing. For example, in lines 23-25, she states, “In Alabama the law provides that a child under sixteen years of age shall not work in a cotton mill at night longer than eight hours, and

For instance, in lines 46-48, Kelley explains, “In Pennsylvania, until last May it was lawful for children, 13 years of age, to work twelve hours at night.” By talking about the children “13 years of age to work twelve hours at night”, it allows the members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association to examine the cause of the mental and physical harm done to children. By grabbing the audience’s attention, she reveals her audacity. In addition, Kelley productively integrates pathos into the logos. For example, in lines 18-22, Kelley quotes, “Tonight while we sleep, several thousand little girls… silks and ribbons for us to buy.” By comparing the scenes of “other” people to young girls in the night, she compels the audience to feel sympathy. Illustrating two contrasting situations, she effectively develops from the evidence to her main purpose to properly change the working conditions of children. This quote adds to her argument by urging the audience to care about the poor