Restraints
The declarations of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Thomas Jefferson were
very similar in the way they modeled each other, but each declaration was written
for different purposes. In writing the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton used similar tactics to those that Thomas Jefferson used
in the Declaration of Independence. Stanton’s declaration was a parody from
Jefferson’s and closely resembled his work.
Jefferson’s and Stanton’s similar techniques include the use of the
periodic sentence, which was typical of the time. The first sentence of both
declarations is periodic, the sentence was long and carefully balanced, and the
main point comes at the end. Both writers used “He” or “For” and, is therefore,
create parallel structure. Balance is also achieved by making each sentence the
same length. The “He” Jefferson referred to is Britain’s King George III who was
an absolute tyrant who wanted complete control for himself. Stanton referred
“He” as a tyrant man.
The “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” is modeled directly from
the Declaration of Independence; we do not get a good idea of Stanton’s writing
gifts. Stanton used the same one-paragraph utterances and exactly the same
opening as Jefferson. Stanton exercised a powerful wit, by reminding her
audience that when the Declaration of Independence was given, their was no
thought about women. Jefferson stated “Governments are instituted among
Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”. Jefferson
wanted an entirely new government, but Stanton demanded equal participation of
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women with men in the government. In the Declaration of Independence,
Jefferson said “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator
with certain inalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness”. Stanton used the same form, but she stated “all men and women
are created equal”. Stanton felt women should have more voice in the
government, and should be equal with men. The Declaration of Independence
was aimed at justifying a war. Stanton never implied a question about war in her
address. Jefferson never instituted the “Resolved” in his address; Stanton
introduced “Resolved” in her address to state a point about how women were
originally being treated and what needed to be changed.
I believe Stanton’s “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions” is more of
a strength because the document is especially effective in the way it parodies its
model so closely. Because of the power of her model, her Declaration gathers
strength and ironically undercuts the model. The same periodic sentences,
parallelism, and balance are used to the same effect. She wanted to gain
strength by using some of her statements about women that needed to be
changed. Because of the close resemblance, we are never aware of Stanton’s
rhetorical gifts. She uses the same structure Jefferson uses, that included the
abuses and wrongs by the king, and things that needed to be made right.
Stanton’s declaration was directly modeled from Jefferson’s, and there
were numerous similarities in the documents. Stanton and Jefferson wanted
complete control from England to form a new government without any
interference. Stanton wanted more rights for women; such as the right to vote,
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own property, and hold office in the government. Stanton used the same devices
as Jefferson, but she also used her intelligence to make her point come across.
Both authors of these declarations wanted a fresh new start for a country on the
rise.
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