Within the incisive “Polly Baker’s speech,” Benjamin Franklin satirizes the patriarchal structure of the judicial system that unfairly judges women. Franklin utilizes a sardonic persona of a “poor” 18th century women being “persecuted for the fifth time, for having a bastard child” who only wants her “fine remitted.” Through his judicious use of hyperbole and his persona’s rhetorical conditional statements, Franklin produces a sarcastic tone in Polly Baker’s speech and ridicules the “great men” who enforce the institutionalized bias against women under the rule of law.
Although Benjamin Franklin was well known as an inventor, a Post Master General, and “One of the Founding Fathers of the United States”, he was also known for being a leading author of his time. Among all his works of writing, “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” caught my attention immediately due to the content of his writing. Even though the exact date it was written is unknown (but most likely in 1746), it was first published in The General Advertiser, on April 15, 1747, pseudonymously. It tells of a woman being on trial for having her fifth child out of wedlock, even though she has been punished for it previously. Throughout the speech she justifies her actions by telling the court that she alone could not make a baby, but yet she is the
Franklin wrote a speech "The Speech of Polly Baker", this speech uses many syllogisms. The speech is about a women named Polly Baker who is arguing a case in court, she is being charged five times for having children without being married. Polly Baker questions why she is being charged for that and why that law even exists. Polly states "This may be agreeable to the Laws, and I don't dispute it; but since Laws are sometimes unreasonable in themselves, and therefore repealed, and others bear too hard on the Subject in particular severe with regard to me, who have always lived in an inoffensive Life in the Neighborhood where I was born...(921). She thinks this law is very unreasonable and she states that she is a good women and she shouldn't
In his writing a theme that is most prevalent is that of the American dream. Although not coined that yet, as the United States didn’t exist at the time. But right from the beginning Franklin speaks to the fact that he created his success and fortune from nothing but hard work, and intelligence. When describing Franklin’s Autobiography as a primary source, it is important to note that this theme of the American Dream. Most famously from the Declaration of Independence preamble, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” ( Dec. of Ind. Pre.).
The institution of slavery has been regarded as a period of injustice, discrimination, and oppression. African Americans have not only been deprived of their human rights, but have faced physical and mental abuse from the hands of those in power. Several advocates, including the son of slaves and ambitious intellectual Benjamin Banneker, have deemed the enslavement of people as a shameful action enacted by the government. Within his letter to Thomas Jefferson, Banneker brings attention to how Jefferson had acknowledged the immoral conditions brought upon the slaves, yet he had implemented no actions to bring an end to the enslavement of his people. In order to convey to Jefferson in an effective matter, Banneker utilizes a demanding tone and an appeal to emotion to enhance his argument.
Abigail Adams Letter In 1780 Abigail Adams writes a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams. When Abigail writes this letter, John is on his second voyage, with his father, to France, America’s ally. When Abigail writes this letter she is trying to prove that going on this voyage will have great positive effects on his life. She is effective in proving her point because she uses Ethos, Logos, Pathos, and other rhetorical strategies convey her message and meaning to him.
Wendell Phillips, a prominent white American abolitionist, gave an empowering and reverent speech regarding his admiration for former slave and Haitian general, Toussaint-Louverture. Phillips uses the power of figurative language and rhetorical devices to reveal an unmistakable abolitionist passion for African American rights, and attempts to ignite this enthusiasm into the hearts and minds of the audience through his zealous attitude. Phillips employs hyperbole, understatement, and metaphor to persuade the audience that the support of African American soldiers will be an influencing aspect in an impending American victory. The speech is rife with parallel structure and reference to historical allusions. This technique allows him to praise Toussaint-Louverture while also influencing and inspiring onlookers.
Essay Revision Wendell Phillips speech was delivered during a time before equality was in existence. As people’s race played a crucial factor in society. During 1861 when the Civil War was in its beginning stages the Northerners were debating weather to allow African Americans to serve in the military. As that made sense to some since the whole point of the civil war was to abolish slavery in the South and obviously many African Americans wanted to fight for that ending goal, but others debated that using African Americans could put their army in jeopardy as they had no experience. Event though this was a conflict between abolitionist people who were strongly for abolishing slavery in the United States some Northerners were still hesitant in trusting Blacks as there was still racism.
Speech Essay Explosion, bombs, outbreaks are both talked about in Ronald Reagan’s and Franklin D. Roosevelt's memorable speeches. Reagan was our 40th U.S. president and he said the “Shuttle ‘Challenger’ DIsaster” speech. Roosevelt our 32nd U.S. president which said the “Pearl harbor address to the nation” speech. They take pride in what they do and try to remember and live past at tragic times.
Benjamin Franklin uses humor in his speech in order to criticize society at the time. Polly Baker has 5 children out of wedlock in this story. This is a completely ridiculous idea for the time as it was considered a crime and a sin. In addition she has received numerous punishments, corporal and monetary in nature. In the speech Miss Baker laments to the court about how heavily she has been punished while those that fathered the children were not.
Altogether Twain thought Franklin was a dimwitted, ignoramus fruitcake that walked around “flying his kite and fooling away his time in all sorts of such ways, when he ought have been foraging for soap-fat, or constructing candles.” (“Late Benjamin” 140). Twain does have legitimacy with his critique, although he may have been a little rude presenting his points, it was still a valid argument. Franklin does get more credit than he deserves, but unlike Twain, I don 't think we should forget that he ever
The environment, specifically the power within proves stronger than the character traits of those involved. In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, there is a complete and very sudden elimination of civilization and structure within the group of boys. This is significant because of their age and the lack of ability to be independent that has not developed enough to the extent that they have the capability to survive on a deserted island together without any adults. For instance, Ralph exclaims “No grownups!” (Golding 8).
“Words can inspire, and words can destroy. Choose yours well.” - Robin Sharma. In 1787, a convention was held to determine the efficiency of a debatable Constitution discussed by the delegates. Benjamin Franklin, having represented Pennsylvania, then presented a speech regarding his position on the topic, declaring his agreement to it in spite of his uncertainty on whether or not it will result in negative consequences in the future.
George Washington, being the first president, felt that in order to maintain structure in the government after he was no longer in charge, had to leave a letter to his country’s citizens. Washington began his address by giving thanks and appreciation to everyone for giving him the opportunity to lead their country and explaining his reasoning for declining another term. Along with these reasons, he pointed out some of the flaws of his presidency, admitting to the public that he was not a perfect American leader and that he is not a stencil into which all other presidents should be carved out of. While he stated that he was not impeccable, Washington did continue on in his address to offer some advice to the future of America. Washington
Benjamin Franklin’s essay, “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America,” depicts the Native Americans as civilized people, but many dub them as “savages.” Franklin discreetly describes the Indians as civilized, polite, peaceful people; while, the white people are really the uncivilized slavish people. The essay contrasts the way most general white people diminish the lives and nature of the Native Americans. Based on feelings of superiority, the whites believe to be a more “perfection of civility,” believing that they are more civilized then the Indians. Franklin’s essay states, “Savages we call them, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility,” the whites think of themselves in a higher esteem then the Indians.
