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by Maria W. Stewart

1832

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Learning to Read

Learning to Read

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

In "Learning to Read," a former slave describes what it was like to be prevented from obtaining an education and learning to read as an adult.

Pair “‘Why Sit Here and Die’ Speech” with “Learning to Read” and ask students to discuss the common complaints the two women have regarding the treatment of African Americans. How does each woman feel that African Americans can overcome adversity? If these women could have a conversation, what would they have to say to each other about literacy?

5th Grade Poem 900L
Opposition to the Women's Rights Movement

Opposition to the Women's Rights Movement

Anonymous

This piece, written anonymously—though it is suspected that John L. O'Sullivan (1813–1895) may have authored this text—was submitted to The Democratic Review in 1852. It was designed as a rebuttal to Dr. Dewey, who, in defense of women's rights, denied Biblical justification for the subjugation of women to their husbands.

Pair “‘Why Sit Here and Die’ Speech” with “Opposition to the Women’s Rights Movement” and ask students to consider if this anonymous author would agree or disagree with Stewart that women and African Americans became products of their environment. Why or why not? If these two authors met, what might they discuss or debate? Ask students to create a debate stance from the perspective of the speech against the opinion or vice versa.

11th Grade Opinion 1300L
George W. Harkins to the American People

George W. Harkins to the American People

George W. Harkins

In an open letter to the American people, Choctaw chief George W. Harkins expresses his opinion about the Indian removals.

Pair “'Why Sit Here and Die' Speech?” with “George W. Harkins to the American People” and ask students to compare the authors’ points of view. How do Harkins and Stewart view oppression? What choice do they have, if at all, to resist it? What role does education play in both texts?

9th Grade Primary Source Document 1320L