Sojourner Truth’s “ Ain’t I a Woman” and Charlotte Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” are two distinct writings that talk about what seems like two completely different subjects. However, despite the fact that they were written by different authors I have found a connection amongst the two writings. While they both pertain to different subjects at first glance, after taking a closer look the reader can make the connection that the main thing that unites these two writings is that they both are about women who are simply expressing their voice speaking out against the oppression that they are experiencing. The two may express this message in distinct matters but overall the same message is being sent out.

Unlike Gilman, Sojourner Truth demonstrated the oppression in a very straightforward manner. She simply chose to give out a speech where she literally discussed the issues at hand, unlike Gilman who chose to take the readers and place them in the shoes of someone who was currently facing oppression. She starts of her speech with a simple introduction that pertains to civil rights for African Americans immediately by her views on how rights for women are missing in this reform. In the speech “ Ain’t I a woman”, Sojourner Truth discussed that all the ongoing talk of rights for african Americans cannot come without rights for women In addition, she further supported her cause by demonstrating to the audience why women are equal to men. From Truth accomplish this through the use of strong language accompanied with literary devices and even a direct reference to God himself. “Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.”

In contrast to Truth Gilman does not directly tell her audience that there is an ongoing issue. Rather, she puts the audience in the shoes of someone who is currently experiencing it. The Yellow Wallpaper was an excellent example of the oppression that a woman can experience. In this story we see the world through the eyes of an unnamed narrator who is presumably is experiencing the effects of post childbirth. The narrator’s husband, John, is a physician who is the one responsible for her medical condition. Unfortunately for the narrator this puts John in a position of control over her. This ultimately leads John to not only abuse this position, but in the process also hurt the narrator as well through neglect of her obvious medical condition. This along with the fact that the narrator was literally suffering from an actual medical condition toppled with the neglect drove the narrator into insanity towards the end of the novel. The way the writer speaks out in this specific case is through the view of another person. From the narrator we learn that she is a woman who is simply seeking attention from her Husband John. This specific way of speaking out is the more effective way because it allows the reader to put themselves in the shoes of another person .While the narrative may not have been something that the author maybe have experienced nonetheless it still sends out a clear message. How oppression can occur and often times the victim is left unable to do anything regarding it.

While it is no doubt that these novels pertain to the voice of an oppressed woman now comes the question what is the significance behind these novels. Furthermore, do these novels have any relevance today? First of all , both of these novels must be acknowledged for their great use of literary devices. The use of such terms make them stand out as great pieces of writing that stand out even today. Second, the main to take into consideration is the fact that they talk about women’s oppression. One pertaining to women’s rights and one pertaining to abuse in the domestic enviorment. The fact of the matter is that yes they still pertain relevance even in the year 2015 because of the fact that those issues are still going on today. Despite the fact that the conditions for women have improved over time with reforms such as the passing of the nineteenth amendment which granted women the right to vote, the overall conditions for women are not entirely perfect. Similar to how the Narrator from the Yellow Wallpaper was living in silence regarding her conditions, many women today also live in similar conditions regarding any kind of issues regarding abuse or neglect. I have personally talked to friends and family members who have admitted to living with abusive spouses simply because of the fact that they had no other choice. Similar to how John served as a dictator who was in control of the narrator due to his position as a physician and husband, many women live under captivity simply because of thoughts of being unsustainable alone and such. According to an article by the Huffington Post ” 30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It's An Epidemic” the previously mentioned cases are true abuse is still prevalent even today. Society may not see it, but it's still there nonetheless.

In conclusion, these two writings share a connection despite have been written by different authors and being different in general, One is a speech that was delivered on the spot whereas the other is a short story. However, both pertain to the same issue at hand and quite amazingly both deliver the same message across through very distinct matters. The final message is set out clear : the attempt to speak out against the ongoing oppression whether it be at the hands of one person or due to rights.

Works Cited :

Vagianos, Alanna. "30 Shocking Domestic Violence Statistics That Remind Us It's An Epidemic." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 25 June 2015.