Abolition and Women’s Rights Movements, Part 2 — Quiz
Question 9 • Language Arts 11
In "Ain't I a Woman?," why does Truth repeat the phrase “Ain’t I a woman?” throughout the second paragraph? That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?
Answer
A
to suggest that females are tougher than males
B
to suggest that audience should worry about her
C
to reinforce that she is strong, resilient and female
D
to reinforce the idea that men should be more helpful
Explanation
Truth repeats “Ain’t I a woman?” after describing her labor, strength, and suffering to challenge the idea that women deserve protection only when they are treated as delicate. The repeated question emphasizes that she is a woman too, despite being denied those courtesies, and highlights her strength and resilience. Choice A best captures this purpose; she is not arguing that women are tougher than men or asking the audience simply to worry about her.
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