Did Sojourner Truth speak impromptu?

Question

Her speech, Ain't I a Woman, it sounds as if she spoke without deliberate planning and organization....like if she spoke as it came to her....well she didn't even know what word to use so she asked the audience...sounds like she didn't plan it.....what do u think and how do u know?

Answer 1

First off she was not an educated woman. This is not to say she wasn't intelligent, she most certainly was. But education or schooling is not the same as intelligence. Therefore, if she speech rambles a bit this is why. She may have been speaking impromptu or she may have written out some notes before hand, but in a sort of disorganized way.

Second, however, there is some serious question as to if she ever really made that "Ain't I a Woman?" comment or it if was added in later by the writers and editors of her speech. It may have been a romantic addition of newspaper writers and it may not have actually ever been said.