Clarence Darrow's 'Address To The Prisoners'

Speech Analysis; “Address to the Prisoners”
Clarence Darrow, Chicago, 1902.

Clarence Darrow Delivered an exemplifying, and honorable, uplifting speech to the Cook County Inmates of Chicago. In 1902, after accepting the wardens offer to address these incarcerated men, invited because of his wit and compassion for criminology and law, Darrow stood among this unique audience and gave, what people of his era and some from this, would claim be one of the “most unique speeches of all time”.

Darrow Begins his speech explaining how his own peers and colleagues urged him not to present his speech directly in the particular venue. His words were, “Some of my good friends have insisted that while my theories are true, I should not have given them to the inmates of a jail.” (Preface 1.1) - Thus showing

Darrow declares that his friends, proposing that the people he then would see in the nearing future, did indeed disagree of his actions, therefore blankly stating his assertion and trust in his self and his work regardless of those’ spurn in which whom was closest to him. Darrow then goes on to point out his personal stance on crime, portraying his reasons for addressing this particular body of people. Darrow states; “I talk to you on the question of crime” (1.1), which directs his statements, previous and approaching, toward the crowd, asserting and administering attention and clarity to those he is addressing. “I really do not in the least believe in crime.”. (1.2-3) Darrow, by expressing this conjecture without hesitation psychologically gives some reassurance, and I could only imagine curiosity, to the inmates. Providing them with, regardless of their accusations, a sense of security, that not all defines them nor their action as “horrifying”. The following proclamations strengthens Darrow’s speech, perceptions