Question

Sojourner Truth by Joanna Evans

Use the story to answer the question.

In 3–5 sentences, describe what the audience knows that the characters do not. Then, explain how this knowledge most likely affects the audience’s perception of the characters and their actions.

Answer 1

The audience knows Sojourner Truth’s past as a formerly enslaved woman, her fierce determination, and that her words will move and change people, details the characters in the scene either do not know or underestimate. Many of the other characters—men at the meeting, skeptical listeners, or former masters—do not expect a Black, formerly enslaved woman to speak so boldly or to have such moral authority. Knowing Sojourner’s background and the power of her speech makes the audience admire her courage and resilience while seeing the other characters as short-sighted, biased, or dismissive. This contrast turns ordinary reactions into evidence of prejudice and elevates Sojourner’s actions from mere speaking to an act of moral leadership.