Chelsea's Analysis of "The Solitude of Self"

Chelsea Nunez
Kerry Spencer
Writing 150H
31 October 2011
Critical Analysis of “Solitude of Self”: Gentlemen, Let Us Be Logical


If a = b and b = c then a = c

In mathematics this is called the Transitive Property (“ORACLE ThinkQuest”). In matters of persuasion this is pure logic. On January 18, 1892 Elizabeth Cady Stanton took this approach as she addressed the Congressional Judiciary Committee in a speech that would later be titled, “The Solitude of Self” (Stanton). As Stanton stood in front of this group of influential political gentlemen, she effectively and logically conveyed that because every individual carries what she refers to as a “solitude of self”, every individual is entitled to the means necessary to manage that solitude when it arises. Stanton achieves this by pointing out commonly held logical fallacies and then establishing solid logic through the use of analogy and anecdote.

Stanton’s first step in persuading the Congressional Judiciary Committee is to discount common logical fallacies. The first example of this comes within the first page when Stanton states, “In the usual discussion in regard to woman’s sphere, such as men as Herbert Spencer, Frederic Harrison, and Grant Allen uniformly subordinate her rights and duties as an individual, as a citizen, as a woman, to the necessities of these incidental relations, [mother, wife, sister, daughter] some of which a large class of women may never assume.”(Jorgensen 163). Here Stanton is saying that all woman have been limited to the roles some women happen to play. Stanton is pointing out a fallacy of insufficient evidence. Some women find themselves in the role of mother, wife, sister, daughter but that does not justify defining all women and their rights by these roles. By pointing out flaws in this logic early in her address, Stanton clears the path for the sound logic she is about to introduce to the committee.

Another idea Stanton proves to be a fallacy is a matter of false context. Stanton asks, “Is it, then, consistent to hold the developed woman of this day within the same narrow political limits as the dame with the spinning-wheel and knitting-needle occupied in the past?” (Jorgensen 168). Here Stanton is addressing an out of date idea of women; she is pointing out a false context. Again, Stanton is clearing space for the solid logic of her argument by displacing the faulty ideas her audience had to begin with.

Stanton begins constructing her sound logic using analogies that this particular audience will understand. The first example of this is found on the second page of her address when she talks of sailing. “They [women] must make the voyage of life alone, and for safety in an emergency they must know something of the laws of navigation. To guide our own craft we must be captain, pilot, engineer; with chart and compass to stand at the wheel; to match the wind and waves and know when to take in the sail, and to read the signs in the firmament over all.” (Jorgensen 164). This analogy comes after she has established “the solitude and personal responsibility” each individual has for his/her self. Stanton compares life to a sea voyage with the purpose of explaining that as a person wouldn’t go to sea without knowledge of how to sail, a person shouldn’t face life without the means to face trails. She uses this sailing analogy because it is an activity her audience will understand. This becomes the very important b = c step in Stanton’s logic. Every individual is like a sailor. Every sailor requires the navigation knowledge and tools necessary to get him/her safely through a storm. Therefor every individual requires equal opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools needed for his/her success and safety in navigating life’s tempests.

Immediately following the sailing analogy is an analogy of a soldier. Stanton explains that, “In fitting out an army, we give each soldier his own knapsack, arms, powder, his blanket, cup, knife, fork and spoon. We provide alike for all their individual necessities” (Jorgensen 164). She continues to explain that once we have done so, that soldier can take care of himself, but also help care for the group; therefore, it is to the benefit of all to have the “complete development of every individual” (Jorgensen 164). In this way she argues the similarities in how society prepares a soldier to the way each individual on the front of life should be prepared. Here again, is the b = c in Stanton’s logic. Every person is a soldier fighting through life. Every soldier has the right to be properly equipped for life’s battles. Therefore every person has a right to the full development that what will be necessary for success in life’s combat.

Along with analogy, anecdote is key in the construction of Stanton’s logic. Anecdote is first seen on page two in the story of a friendless child who must console herself after finding no present under the Christmas tree (Jorgensen 165). Stanton tells this short story as an example of one having only oneself for comfort in the most sorrowful times of life. This story draws clear parallels to her cause. Just like the child, every individual will face life’s heartaches and be left “wholly on herself for consolation.” (Jorgensen 165). This child would have been better suited to face her solitude had she the navigation skill and personal provisions Stanton has already established as necessary. All have a right to these skills and tools when they find themselves lacking “presents” under their tree.

Stanton gives a second anecdote where she talks of Prince Kropotkin, a Russian who found himself imprisoned for many years. She tells how Kropotkin was cut off from all humanity and how he turned to his “liberal thought and broad culture” for comfort (Jorgensen 166). This short story of Kroptkin’s solitary years explains that when faced with crushing isolation he needed only himself －only his mind for consolation. As she gives the short account of this dreadful time in Kropotkin’s life the audience sees the connection to the times when any individual may find his/herself just as isolated. Many will face a form of solitude near to that of Kropotkin, and it is only logical that they are allowed the same resources that enabled Kropotkin to bare his trial victoriously.

A sailor, a soldier, a child, a Russian prisoner, a judiciary committee, each will face solitude of self, and when such a time arrives “each soul must depend wholly on itself.”(Jorgensen 167). Once flawed logic is cleared away it is obvious that just as a sailor wouldn’t go to sea without the skills of navigation, or a soldier wouldn’t go to battle without his arms, an individual should not have to face personal isolation without the resources to combat it. As a committee member sees the parallels in the anecdote of a friendless child or Russian prisoner, he sees the logic behind Stanton’s argument. This Congressional Judiciary Committee hears Stanton’s address, understands the analogies, connects to the anecdotes, and recognizes that if a = b and b =c logically a = c. It is just that simple.

Works Cited

"Algebra Postulates." ORACLE ThinkQuest. ORACLE ThinkQuest Library, n.d. Web. 31 Oct 2011. .


Jorgensen, Susan. Comp. Readings for Intensive Writers. 5th ed. Provo: BYU Academic Publishing, 2007. 163-169. Print.


Stanton, Elizabeth. "Solitude of Self." PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, n.d. Web. 31 Oct 2011. .