Even a cursory glance at the letters, speeches, and essays of Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) and Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) reveals that these two nineteenth-century feminists relied on Biblical and folk proverbs to make their relentless case for the equality of men and women before the law and in social interaction. All Men and Women Are Created Equal investigates the use and function of this proverbial language in their personal relationship and their vast correspondence, the appearance of the proverbial rhetoric in their many speeches and essays, and their innovative employment of proverbial quotations from such documents as the Declaration of Independence to further their cause. It also looks at how proverbs in their traditional wording or as innovatively changed pieces of wisdom were used to argue both for equal pay and education of women and to overcome the misogyny of the established church. A final chapter looks at how the Biblical proverb «Do unto others as you would have them do unto you» became a powerful verbal tool to justify their rightful call for equal rights for women. These interpretive chapters are followed by a large index of proverbs and proverbial expressions that are listed in their rhetorical contexts with precise information as to their source and date. Both parts together tell the story of Stantons and Anthonys lives and work by way of enlightening proverbial paragraphs dealing with womens rights.

Contents: «These are the times that try women’s souls». The Multifaceted Rhetoric of the Women’s Rights Movement – «We were in every way suited to be yoke-fellows». The Proverbial Partnership of Two Liberated Work-Horses – «It is a herculean job - but we propose to compass it». The Letters as Proverbial Signs of Untiring Engagement – «What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander». Folk Proverbs in the Speeches for Equal Rights for Women – «New rights bring new duties». Proverbial Quotations in Pointed Sociopolitical Writings – «All men and women are created equal». Women’s Rights and the Declaration of Independence – «Government of the people, by the people, and for the people». A Call for Politics Based on the Consent of the Governed – «Equal pay for equal work». Educational and Professional Justice for Liberated Women – «A woman is the weaker vessel». The Struggle Against the Proverbial Misogyny of the Bible – «Do unto others as you would have them do unto you». The Golden Rule as the Philosophical Foundation of Equality.