Summary Of Florence Kelley Child Labor

During the centuries before 1920, women were inferior to men; although their conditions improved slightly with time, they did not have the right to vote and influence directly on social issues that were affecting the United States of America. Feminist movements did not only demand for rights equal to men and improved labor conditions, they commanded to be heard in the matters that affected closely each and every home. Child labor was among the aspects of society they strived to improve in society with the hopes of eliminating it. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, child labor is the employment of children under a certain age in a business in inhumane conditions or violation of state or federal law. During the twentieth and twenty

When the speaker talks about the children, she uses words such as “little girl,” “tiny children,” and “young girl.” The use of these phrases grasps the audience’s sentiments and moves them to be conscious that the workers of the industries are young children that have been stolen from their childhood and forced to work continuously so the businesses can make the most income with some of the cheapest labor. That is to say that the products bought by grown ups are manufactured by children, which produces the impression of a mother and father making their little six year old daughter or son to fabricate their clothing and luxury products. Likewise, Florence asserts that, “we shall none of us be able to free our consciences from participation in this great evil.” The use of the words “great evil” in this sentence presents that child labor is not doing any good to the country, to the society, nor to the children going through the horrible work conditions. In fact, it just affects the society since the children will not be able to have a strong education and give back to the community in a meaningful way. In other words, the word choice captures the audience’s attention and reinforces the other rhetorical

Even though the message included gaining the support of the people to achieve a common cause of women getting the right to vote, Florence Kelley developed her argument through the community’s status dealing with child labor. The use of rhetorical strategies persuaded the audience -the Association accompanied by men and women across the country- to act in order to discontinue the practice of child labor. Additionally it conveniences the audience of the importance of the women’s point of view in the government. Other women in the National American Woman Suffrage Association exhaustingly fought in order to make their voice heard. Finally, the Congress passed a law for women’s suffrage on June 4, 1919 which was ratified on August 18, 1920. The 19th amendment granted all American women the right to vote. Since then, women have had their opinion heard and labor conditions for children have had laws that limit the minimum age for legal labor. In conclusion, Florence Kelley uses The Story of An Hour to demonstrate in a short speech full of ethical, logical and emotional phrases, along with imagery, repetition and excellent diction, one of the diverse ways children have been used to the benefit of society while dismantling their lives throughout