Self-rule and Liberty in The Declaration of Independence and of Sentiments and The Memorials

In America's earliest days, the founding members of the democracy faced unmatchable adversity. In Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence, Elizabeth Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments, and The Cherokee Memorials, a new age of freedom is uncovered by the authors' stunning prose fused with the abundant passion of a group of peoples' smothered self expression. Through the work of these three texts, readers of all generations can be inspired to create their own identity, despite the forces of an outside source holding them down. Despite the suffocation, every single author was able to make a significant change in America's short, yet jammed history. If these authors did not voice their opinions, the country would not be what it is today.

In the three texts, revolt is laced through each word, depicting the horrible testimonies the authors had to go through. With the government, culture, and lifestyles of the world's newest nation completely changing, literature of that time period flipped into a sphere of individualism, self-evaluation, and meticulous thought. The voices of the authors in these pieces labor while attacking their designated audiences with words that bite into the consciences of oppressing governments, and breaking down the unfortunate and terribly obvious stereotypes that were manifested in the early American image.

Thomas Jefferson, a main player in writing and establishing the nation's foundational document, tracks the copious injustices of Great Britain in the original copy of The Declaration of Independence. In this work, the original, unedited portions of his document are conveniently juxtaposed by the edits that the Supreme Court made to appease the King. An interesting comparison of Jefferson's first draft and the second draft can instantly be seen. Jefferson composed a fierce and unabashed criticism of his oppressors, while the revision dumbs Jefferson's writing down significantly. Paragraphs of criticism become synonymous to with no bite. Not only do his perky, poignant words effect the document, but the form in which he writes these words also add to the sum of hatred Jefferson has towards his audience. As Jefferson moves on through the text, he begins every main point with the phrase, "He has." "He has" holds a conversational tone, almost as if Jefferson were giving a speech to his opponents, further grappling with the idea of self-identification through the individualistic mindset. Jefferson tells the opposite side what they have done instead of suggesting, or passively arguing or feuding. Jefferson does not waste any time in telling what he wants done.

Among many reasons this document was so successful, one standing out is its length. Obviously there were many objectives Jefferson wanted to accomplish, but the brevity of The Declaration of Independence helped him prove his points in a timely manor. Simply because it gives the intended audience the necessary and vital conditions of the new country Jefferson was dying to pursue, the document held weight with those who read it. On another note, the tone Jefferson adopted in this piece might have given him a little bit of extra breathing room. If Jefferson approached his proposition from his knees, he may have gotten nothing done; but, because his decision to pepper his oppressors with a tone that startles went through, Jefferson's work was infinitely effective. In addition to short, concise statements about the country's reform, Jefferson's tight tone reads as if he were really speaking. Jefferson transfers the intense desire for freedom and independence through the intricate words in The Declaration of Independence, without any fear.

In 1830, several years after The Declaration of Independence had been written and established, the Cherokee nation published The Cherokee Memorials. This document ironically mirrors The Declaration of Independence, an intentional fix done by the numerous authors that composed this piece. This, similar to The Declaration of Independence, was also written under the consideration and supervision of many people, proving that this was a guided effort fueled by the people. To start, the Cherokee nation was under heavy fire from Andrew Jackson and were being treated poorly by the people of America. This hardheaded group of authors decided to dissect the former document that built our nation's culture. They did so in such a fashion that should be applauded, because just like Thomas Jefferson cruelly criticized his oppressors, so did the Cherokee. The hypocritical slander that exited the mouths of the American government was causing many innocent people problems - loss of land, loss of pride, loss of lives.

This document not only brought the American people awareness to the severity of the situation, but it, just like Jefferson, gave them a sense of liberty, self-reliance, and distinguished pride. The collective of authors brings about their argument by stating their position with force, pride, and class. Oddly enough, Jefferson did the same thing. By referring to America as "our nation," and describing their Cherokee heritage as "the Cherokee nation," the Cherokee peoples are establishing themselves, by themselves in the face of adversity. These small details, placed at the beginning of the document, are not insignificant. In declaring themselves as important early on suggests a confidence that the American government most likely did not know existed within the hearts of the Cherokee. The Cherokee peoples mock quite possibly the most important and effective document in American history, and they, like Thomas Jefferson do so with no fear. The way this text is written also suggests a hidden confidence and presence of power in the written voice of the Cherokee. The oppressed minority, in this case, the Cherokee, often acts with unexpected intensity. The American government saw this group of people as equivalent to dirt, and this publication proved otherwise. The authors use declarative statements in order to make a point, officially authorizing their denied citizenship.

Later on in America's unfortunately extensive history in unfair treatment and oppression, Elizabeth Stanton revolutionized the budding women's rights movement with her publication, Declaration of Sentiments. Stanton severely cuts our founding fathers' pride and joy in her work. She, just like each of our other authors, studied the inner shell of The Declaration of Independence and found where she could take advantage. Stanton, just like Jefferson, utilizes the phrase "He has" as a dead give away that she is playing with the idea of The Declaration of Independence. She lays out a set of problems and even says how to fix them, tracing the inaccuracy of The Declaration of Independence. The uneven truths in the first Declaration are easy to prey on for Stanton, who uses the prior rules to act on passions of her own. She separates herself from the government by voicing her unpopular opinions, a controversial action for a woman to take at this time in history. Stanton mimics The Declaration of Independence in such a way that would have made her audience, men within the government, feel guilty. She persuades the same people who tried to gain their own independence with almost the exact same tactics. So, not only does Stanton get recognition for taking on America's founding document, but she uses the same strategies of persuasion to get her point across and make a serious social change for women, when they needed it the most. With her use of declarative words, such as "closes," "denied," and "monopolized" to describe the way men have treated women, she singles out an entire gender without any fear. While this move was risky, its reward was worth her time. These words, declarative, fierce, and shameless, sent Stanton on the road to success.

Throughout time, America has gone through stages of immense prejudice, discrimination, and torment to certain demographics of its citizens. The fact that there were, and still are today, groups of people, and individuals, who stood up for themselves through verbal and written retaliation speaks volumes about this nation. In all three texts, the authors transitioned their hatred towards their tormentors into something stronger. Through the intense devotion to family, country, and the self, all of these authors were able to make a change. America would not be the country that it is today without the help of these three documents.