In the Declaration of Independence, the pronoun “he” refers to King George III of Great Britain. To whom does the pronoun “he” refer in the Declaration of Sentiments? What comparison isbeing made between King George and the “he” being referred to in the Declaration of Sentiments? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
In the Declaration of Sentiments, the pronoun “he” refers to men in general, specifically the men who held power in society, particularly the male-dominated government and laws of the time. The comparison being made between King George III of Great Britain and the “he” in the Declaration of Sentiments is that both are depicted as tyrants who oppress and deny women their basic rights.
The Declaration of Sentiments, written in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, mirrors the structure and tone of the Declaration of Independence, in which the colonists declared their grievances against King George III. Just as King George is accused of imposing unjust laws and depriving colonists of their rights, the Declaration of Sentiments accuses men of denying women their rights and freedoms. The grievances listed in the document parallel those in the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing the same kind of systemic oppression and injustice.
One of the most significant grievances in the Declaration of Sentiments is that men have “rendered her [woman’s] marriage contract a null and void” and “have taken from her all right in property, even to the wages she earns.” This echoes the claim in the Declaration of Independence that King George has imposed laws without consent, thus treating the colonists as subjugated and without voice or power.
The Declaration of Sentiments asserts that men have usurped authority over women and perpetuated laws and societal structures that oppress them. The comparison draws attention to the fact that just as King George was seen as a tyrant over the colonies, men were seen as tyrants over women in this context. Both are seen as figures of authority who deny individuals their natural rights to liberty and equality.