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Read the excerpt from The Declaration of the Rights of Women written by French activist Olympe de Gouges in 1791.

Women, wake up; the tocsin of reason sounds throughout the universe; recognize your rights. The powerful empire of nature is no longer surrounded by prejudice, fanaticism, superstition, and lies. The torch of truth has dispersed all the clouds of folly and usurpation. Enslaved man has multiplied his force and needs yours to break his chains. Having become free, he has become unjust toward his companion. Oh women! Women, when will you cease to be blind?

To understand the context, which elaborative technique would be the best way to explain the importance of the quote?


A Describe the background of the author, Olympe de Gouges, and her cause.
B Explain what was happening in 1791 around the world.
C Reveal that Olympe de Gouges was executed by guillotine during the French Revolution for writing the book.
D Summarize the purpose behind the writing of the book.

User Marcus
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2 Answers

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14 votes

Final answer:

To explain the importance of Olympe de Gouges's 1791 quote, summarizing the purpose of her writing, which calls for women's equality during the French Revolution's period of advancing liberty and equality, is most effective.

Step-by-step explanation:

To understand the importance of the quote from The Declaration of the Rights of Women written by Olympe de Gouges in 1791, the best elaborative technique would be to summarize the purpose behind the writing of the book. This approach allows for a direct connection of the historical context to the passage and explains why Gouges felt compelled to advocate for women's rights.

At the time, the French Revolution pushed forward ideas of liberty and equality, but these were not extended to women. Olympe de Gouges, a journalist and playwright, emphasized that women should have the same rights as men, including the ability to hold public office.

Despite the progressive ideals of the time, women like Gouges faced severe opposition and were often persecuted for their views, which culminated in Gouges's execution. Her work continued the revolutionary ideas by arguing for the equality between men and women in society, an issue that was overlooked in the initial declarations of human rights derived from the Enlightenment.

User Thomas Kimber
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15 votes
15 votes

Answer: Explain what was happening in 1791 around the world.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Oakar
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