When Sojourner Truth Meets Harriet Beecher Stowe
Sojourner Truth and Harriet Beecher Stowe are both in Heaven that looks like Earth but where pain and suffering are non-existent. They accidentally meet at Heaven’s train station as they travel around the globe and, as spirits, observe people around them. Recognizing Truth, Stowe approaches her and invites her for lunch. In a restaurant, they talk about their lives, the historical status of women in their time, their opinions on the role of women, and what they would think of women's current roles. Meanwhile, while dining, their conversation begins.
Truth: Thank you for this delightful invitation, Mrs. Stowe, since you wanted to talk about our personal lives first, let me start the introductions. Born as a slave in Dutch-speaking Ulster County, New York in 1797, my original name is Isabella Bomfree. During this time, I was sold four times, experiencing undue physical
…show more content…
At the 1851 Ohio Women's Rights Convention, I gave my famous speech, “Ar'n't I a woman?” My point here was that women’s rights should be part of the fight of the abolitionists (Hutchins, 2004). In addition, I reminded my audience of white women that they must represent all women of all races (Hutchins, 2004). Until my death, I was fighting for both racial and gender equality.
Stowe: What an impressive life! Let me give a brief life story of mine as well. I am Harriet Beecher, born in Litchfield, Connecticut, in 1811, the sixth child of Lyman Beecher and Roxana Foote. My father is one of the most famous evangelical preachers of the antebellum era who condemned both intemperance and the brutality of slavery. Whereas my father lived an active public life, my mother, Roxana represented “true womanhood” through the “cardinal virtues: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness” (Hedrick,