Sojourner Truth's words in her speech: "Am I not a woman?" served as an anthem for women around the world during its time. Truth struggled not only with racial injustice but also with gender inequality that made her less of a person and second to men in society. In her speech, she warned men of the world “upside down” against the power of women where “together, [women] should be able to turn the tables and set them right again!” Today, America takes pride in thinking that Truth's discomfort with gender inequality has been put to rest. Oppression for women, however, continues to exist. American literature has successfully captured and exposed the changes in attitudes toward women and their roles throughout American history. Because they are considered less than a man, women have been molded to fit society's expectations. The typical role of women in the late 19th century was that of mother-wife, which involved staying at home, caring for children, taking care of her husband's needs, and cleaning. This traditional role was challenged in Kate Chopin's novel The Awakening. Edna Pontellier, the pr...