Some texts are universal, that is they relate to everyone in the themes that they explore. Paul Keating’s speech at the funeral service of the Unknown Soldier (1993) and Aung San Suu Kyi’s keynote address (1995) have the power to move and challenge us in the sense that they both explore universal themes of peace, unity, democracy, human rights and war. Suu Kyi’s keynote address explores the idea that women have an important and even vital role to play in the establishment of “peace, security, human rights and democracy.” This role has been undervalued and needs to be elevated and allowed to blossom especially public affairs so that all people may enjoy these human needs. In her exordium, the orator opens with a tone of humility in the lines “wonderful but daunting task that has fallen upon me,” which endears her to all people listening whether they be male or female and whatever historical period the may be in. in using the word “wonderful” she acknowledges the great assembly of people listening who are interested in the values she goes on to mention.
First of all, the text I have chosen is the speech by Shirley Chiholm “Equal rights for Women” which was addressed to the United States House Of Representatives in 1969. In this speech, the composer presents the viewpoint of prejudice which women was experiencing at that time. She is an excellent example of a woman who speaks up and challenges the authority about women’s issues. In her speech, Shirley states the disadvantage of being discriminated because they are women; “they are too emotional”; and the “unspoken assumption is that women are different”. She questions people to think about the existence of discrimination in our society what sometimes is lured that: “women are already equal”.
During the “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury,” Queen Elizabeth I showed a tone of inspiration during a time of great doubt, a flawless diction, and a syntax structure that showed great emphasis on each statement that summoned the passion out of her people. Tone is the most important attribute to have in a speech and the queen nailed it on the forehead. During a time when all hope was lost she showed great inspiration and determination that rejuvenated her people. Powerful statements that would make “tyrants fear” and give “strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts” of her people, to annihilate any invaders such as “Parma or Spain” and to send a message to “any prince of Europe.” She was assuring that her people would not go out without a fight and that the English would come out on top of the power struggle between the colonies of Europe. Firmness was shown and the leadership of a king was brought out of the queen and that earned loads of respect from her people and they figured out that this woman was not one to be taken lightly.
The love of her people was her motivation. Her volition came of the need to protect her subjects, and be their beacon of strength and hope. She forged a way that was shut, by power of will and breaking down any barriers in her way. Mary Queen of Scotts was believed of some to be the rightful ruler of England, as Elizabeth was an illegitimate child by a mistress of her father, King Henry VIII, who was the founder of the Protestant church, for the reason that Catholicism would not allow him to divorce his wife. Elizabeth was criticized, but held steady her ground.
In response to women’s contribution in WW1 Women gained the right to vote. Because the women helped the government in order to win the war by creating ammunition and Farming, this changed the lives of women by having the right to choose who is going to control the country. I can also infer that, the group called the Suffragettes has been fighting for women's rights. Because, the leader Mrs Pankhurst believes that women and men are equal and should have the rights and this changed woman's life by getting the same amount of payment as the men. This can be seen on source A1 which states that ‘’ women had proved that they were just as important to the war effort as men in 1918 women were given some form of political representation.
Jill Tweedy 1932- 1993 was also an influential feminist writer. Wollstonecraft’s polemic, ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Women’ and Tweedy’s ‘In the Name of Love’. Both these extracts show how these female writers can write from both genders; female and male. They can bring across different views and thoughts throughout their extracts. A Vindication of the Rights of Women’ is an early example of a feminist outlook; Wollstonecraft aims to define, establish and defend equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women.
"I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too,” was said by a brave woman in 1588. As I honor my lady’s words, I have fostered myself into becoming the lionhearted woman that I am today. If I can spend a day talking with anyone in history, I would cull Queen Elizabeth the First. I have spent many of my days admiring her valiant actions, but I have come to realize, the Queen and I have many things in common. One in particular that has aggravated us the most, was our capabilities being greatly undermined.
A Vindication of the Rights of Women Essay A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft is one of the earliest works of feminist ideals. In the text, Wollstonecraft deeply responds and criticizes many influential political theoreticians from the 18th century who did not believe that women should have the same basic rights as men. Her arguments vary from how women should contribute to society to how women should be treated in a relationship. All of her viewpoints not only played a crucial role in the feminist movement of her time, but also helped pave the way for modern feminist movements. One of the main points that Wollstonecraft touches upon in A Vindication of the Rights of Women is the issue regarding women and education.
Also I thought that the Suffragists played a vital role in getting the rights for women to vote because they proved to the men that they could protest and campaign without using violence or breaking the law, unlike the Suffragettes, who resorted to violence when they wanted their way or when they wanted to be heard. Before World War 1 there, were two groups of women that campaigned for votes for women and they were known as the Suffragists and the suffragettes. They called themselves the Suffragists because they were trying to mock the word Suffrage which means the right to vote. Then there were the Suffragists they were so different from the Suffragists yet they were so similar. Both groups of women were campaigning and fighting for the same thing, but the way they achieved the vote was very different.
The main contemporary ideologies presented using different techniques are those of Thatcher, in ‘Top Girls’ and ‘Trainspotting’, set in 1980s. Margaret Thatcher portrayed individual endeavour for success as most important rather than society working together especially for women whom she aimed to ‘liberate’ with her ideals. Thatcher made a political stand using a subtle allusion to Ronald Reagan’s ‘American Dream,’ so that the people would subscribe to her and her ideals. Both writers, Welsh and Churchill, criticise these contemporary ideologies presenting the absurdity but in some cases conforming to them by addressing impact on gender and class. Marlene calls Thatcher; ‘Maggie’ – colloquial use of her name suggesting closeness, perhaps a metaphor for the incorporation of the prime minister’s ideology into society and presenting its strong impact on ordinary life, especially Marlene’s.