Vocabulary in Declaration of Sentiments

The noun “disfranchisement” [sic] or “disenfranchisement” means the state of being deprived of the right to vote. Stanton saw the disenfranchisement of women as one of the major hurdles of the women’s rights movement.

The adjective “abject” means cast down to the lowest, most spiritless state or condition. In this final grievance, Stanton claims that under men’s control, women lose their own identity and fall into despondency and hopelessness.

The verb “usurped” means to seize illegally; the noun “prerogative” refers to an exclusive right. In the Hebrew bible, the word “Jehovah” is one of the seven names for the God of Israel. This phrase suggests that men have commandeered God’s position by controlling women’s rights. Stanton claims to the contrary that “her conscience” belongs to the true, real God, not to the men who have falsely usurped the authority of God.

The adjective “Apostolic” means relating to the twelve biblical apostles. Here Stanton discusses the spiritual authority these apostles held and passed onto other religious leaders in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox churches.

The adjective “scanty” refers to an insufficient quantity; the word “remuneration” means to pay the equivalent for an expense. Through the process of coverture and the monopolization of women’s rights, men prevented women from working and making their own living. Instead, women were completely dependent on men, without the proper means or resources to sustain themselves financially.

The noun “chastisement” means the act of scolding or censuring someone. Under the laws of coverture, a woman is legally bound and subservient to her husband, who acts as her “master.” He rules her every move and can “deprive her of her liberty.” The woman cannot raise her voice or live freely; she must remain docile and passive.

In an exact reiteration of the Declaration of Independence, Stanton appeals to her audience’s sense of logos or reason by providing “facts” in the following section. By submitting her facts to the “candid world,” Stanton suggests that her audience is impartial and unbiased, having never witnessed such an unprecedented moment in the history of women’s rights.

The word “despotism” refers to a political system wherein one individual has absolute authority over others. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson uses the word to characterize King George III’s tyrannical rule. Here, the word takes on an entirely different meaning. Stanton views the patriarchal system of society as a form of despotism that has absolute authority over women—total “tyranny over her.”

Used in both declarations, the noun “prudence” means caution or the quality of having good sense in practical affairs. In both documents, the word is used to claim that governments should not be changed for inconsequential reasons; instead they should be changed only when faced with “a long train of abuses and usurpations.” Through diction, Jefferson was able to demonstrate that Revolution was viable. Stanton does the same, claiming that it is prudent and reasonable for women to resist oppression any further.