Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech By Florence Kelley

Social Worker and Reformer Florence Kelley in her speech to the National American Suffrage Association, on July 22nd, 1905 advocates for women and child labor laws. Kelley tries to persuade, consequently playing on the audience’s feelings. She begins by expressing reasoning, playing with emotion and stating facts. Kelley is successfully appealing to your conscience and sense of culpability. She places the audience in the factories along with the children. She delivers the speech with eloquence. Moreover, she reflects her passion for rights of women and children. As she opens her speech she states the number of children in the workforce. She addresses the ages, states and where they work depending on where they live. Kelley continues to explain the increases in child labor, as well as the children now taking up the role as breadwinners. As the speech progresses, she also addresses different scenarios that appeal to the audience’s sentiments such as,” Tonight we sleep, several thousand little girls will be working in the textile

Bringing up the states that have more working hours for the kids. Making a reference to the items they handcraft knowingly wearing them in that moment. She is accusatory,” I f the mothers and teachers in Georgia could vote.” (55-56) or “Would the New Jersey legislature have passed that shameful repeal bill enabling girls of fourteen years to work all night, if the mothers in New Jersey were enfranchised?” (59-62) Therefore, Kelley creates an argumentative discourse leaving the audience to reflect, to feel shame. She moves on to a reproachful mood by stating the items made by children. “Under the sweating system tiny children make artificial flowers and neckwear for us to buy.” (73-75) Implying that everyone is part of the problem including herself. A candid realization of the problem before them and an emotional appeal to your moral