'Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death': A Literary Analysis

During the American revolution, Patrick Henry’s cry, “Give me liberty or give me death,” was a philosophy adopted by many as they aimed to separate themselves from the British, but this statement is problematic due to the fact that it suggests liberty is something opposing, or simply different, from death. As a country we continue to value this cry for liberty as a fundamental value, but this same liberty was not given to women after the revolution, or centuries to come. As a result, there were many women who saw death as being one of the only true freedoms that they would ever be afforded. Novels from the nineteenth century work as evidence to prove that women of the time were presented with two primary choices in order to achieve any sense
Their marriage is glorified at first when it is described, “It was indeed a marriage sanctioned by heaven, although unrecognized by earth. There the young couple lived secluded from the world, and passed their time as happily as circumstances would permit” (Brown 65). This description of their marriage shows the happiness that the couple originally experienced as they gave birth to their daughter, Mary, but the happiness began to fade as Horatio went out into the world, and left his illegitimate wife at home (Brown 66). This is problematic because Horatio has the freedom to go out into the world and find a new wife, as he does, but Clotel does not since she remains his slave rather than a free person (Brown 90). When describing the way in which Clotel reacted to her husband’s new marriage it is written, “She felt that the step she had taken in resolving never to meet Horatio again would no doubt expose her to his wrath, and probably cause her to be sold” (Brown 90). This explanation shows the unequal footing that Clotel and Horatio Green were on, and, despite the fact that the two said they were married, he controlled her life long after the marriage ended (Brown 90). Furthermore, he does take advantage of this control when he allows
Mary and Althesa showed that these women from the nineteenth century could marry in order to find some level of liberty, but this, aside from lacking true autonomy, was problematic in the longevity of their relationships. The issues of marriage as a solution were displayed with Althesa, when her death made it apparent that she was never truly free; worse yet, Clotel’s betrayal from her husband made the flaws of this solution even more clear since it forced her into a even more difficult life as a slave. The only true autonomy that was demonstrated by Clotel was when she elected to end her own life, thus ending the ability of others to take her freedom from her. When giving a speech called Freedom or Death in the 20th century, Emmeline Pankhurst said, “You can kill that woman, but she escapes you then; you cannot govern her.” While death is the most certain way that a person can be assured that no one can control them, no one should be forced to end their life in order to find freedom.This option should have been and should be available in