The Passion and the Fury: Emmeline Pankhurst’s “Freedom or Death” Speech Examined

Femininity and steel came together to give voice to the plight of women in this famous speech. How did one woman change the course of history?

Women have always played a part in shaping the future. However, they had to be covert about it.

At least, until the turn of the 20^th century. This is when women demanded the right to decide their own destiny. And others around the world took up the call.

But one of the most memorable figures of the Women’s Suffrage Movement was Emmeline Pankhurst.

This slight-built woman had a lion’s roar when it came to women’s rights. When she delivered her “Freedom or Death” speech in 1913, everyone took notice.

This British suffragist devoted 40 years of her life to campaign for women’s equality. She was well-known for her militant and outspoken demeanour.

She delivered her famous speech while on a fundraising tour in the U.S. in 1913. During this tour, she saw prison 12 times. But each time she went on a hunger strike.

As a spokeswoman, she understood her audience. She projected a conscious image of femininity, all the while knowing that her audience sees her first as a curiosity.

But sadly, she never got to see the fruits of her labours. She passed away a few weeks before the Representation of the People Act of 1928.

A century has passed. But her speech still rings as clear as a bell of war. What was it about this speech that continues to resonate after so much time?

Freedom or Death: The Speech That Changed the 20^th Century

As mentioned before, Pankhurst was on a fundraising tour in the U.S.

She was already well-known to American suffragists for her aggressive tactics at rallies in England.

In spite and perhaps because of that, an architect by the name of Theodate Pope of Farmington invited her to speak. Her venue was the Parsons Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. Feminist and socialite Katharine Houghton Hepburn introduced her to the audience.

It’s important to note, however, that just a few months’ before, a noted member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) died. Emily Davison had run onto the track during the 1913 running of the Epsom Derby. She died of injuries sustained when trampled by the King’s horse.

Pankhurst accepts that Davison’s act was one of martyrdom. It also led her to justify WSPU’s seemingly militant tactics.

This support, however, led to alienation from a large part of the British suffragist movement. It didn’t matter to her, though.

In her speech, she rouses the American audience by reminding them of their own tradition of civil war and revolution.

Not one to care about the status quo, she goes on to say that she doesn’t care if she alienates sympathisers.

Her reasons?

Pankhurst states that suffragists in England have had public sympathy for 50 years. Yet it didn’t bring about change.

So, destructiveness, even at the cost of the self, was the only way.

Militaristic language litters her speech. She referred to anti-suffragists as the “enemy” and that the movement was a “civil war.”

Her final statement references her imprisonments and subsequent releases.

You see, at the time going on a hunger strike may get an unconvicted woman released from prison. They would go back and re-arrest her when her health was better.

This Cat and Mouse Act was the frame for which she famously said:

We will put the enemy in the position where they will have to choose between giving us freedom or giving us death.

What We Can Learn from It

There’s plenty to learn from the great orators of the past. But there are some components in Pankhurst’s speech that resonate. She was a formidable woman and an eloquent speaker.

Take a look at some of the techniques that modern storyshowers can use in speeches today:

Lesson #1 – Name the Problem and Call It What It Is

The first lesson may be one of the most important.

As an influencer, you need to name the problem. Don’t tiptoe around the problem. Call it what it is.

In Pankhurst’s speech, she called the problem what it was. She spoke to men directly as she seized upon her status in society. And that the violent methods were because of the real injustice: they didn’t see women as human beings.

In addition, your audience expects a clear path and a destination. Naming the problem is the crux of your speech. It’s the main idea.

If you don’t call it what it is, you may sound like you’re going off on a tangent.

Lesson #2 – Draw Comparisons to Throw Your Argument into High Relief

Next, Pankhurst compares the women’s vote movement to other international uprisings. They don’t have anything to do with her topic per se.

However, she goes on to compare herself to the leader of the Ulster rebellion in Ireland at the time. She says that she is doing the same things Sir Edward Carson is doing.

But he wasn’t imprisoned for it. And he had the right to vote, too.

This comparison furthers her point about injustice.

Lesson #3 – Create a Local Angle

In addition, she takes an issue that may seem like it’s far away and bringing it home. She asks her audience to imagine that these same issues were playing out in their streets amongst men.

Have your audience see the issue or problem from your perspective by imaging themselves in the midst. This may make them more willing to connect and listen to you.

Lesson #4 – Draw an Analogy

Analogies can be very powerful when applied correctly.

In her speech, Pankhurst links a woman’s need for recognition to two babies. The quiet baby doesn’t receive attention. Meanwhile, the one that makes a fuss gets catered to.

This justification for her tactics speaks more plainly than the equivalent sentence because it paints a familiar picture.

Lesson #5 – Speak from Personal Experience

Okay, no one likes to listen to speeches made by egoists. However, an anecdote here and there can humanise you.

Your listeners may be more willing to listen to your message if they can make a connection. In her speech, Pankhurst talks about her trial and prison experience.

This was effective because it established her credibility and proved she was one of them.

Remember that what you choose to share has to be relevant to your speech or transition. However, speaking from personal experience may also help an audience connect with you.

Lesson #6 – Use Metaphors

Sometimes metaphors get lost in translation. So you may want to use these sparingly, depending on your audience.

In her speech, Pankhurst used the following metaphor to explain the need for more aggressive tactics:

You cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs. You cannot have a civil war without damage to something.

Keep your metaphors simple, though. You don’t want the audience struggling to parse your meaning while you move onto the next point.

Lesson #7 – Ask Rhetorical Questions

Are rhetorical questions an orator’s best friend?

Speakers who use rhetorical questions correctly can leave lasting impressions.

Pankhurst asked rhetorical questions in her speech. But she didn’t overdo it.

Remember that rhetorical questions are more effective if you have given the answer previously. That means that the answer should be obvious.

If you use it correctly, your audience, like Pankhurst’s, will reflect and think about everything you said.

Lesson #8 – Repeat Yourself

Repetition may be boring, but it serves a purpose.

It helps an influencer leave an impression. Consider the words that Pankhurst repeated in her speech:

• Militant
• Soldier
• Battle

This repetition reminds and informs the listeners that they are fighting a war.

Additionally, let’s face it. Some audience members’ minds may drift. Get them back on track by repeating key points.

Constantly look for places to tie back earlier points. Keep repeating those phrases, themes, and keywords as if they were a musical refrain.

Others may get annoyed with your repetition. But will they remember your key points 6 months from now? That’s really what matters.

The Final Word

Public speaking is an art form. But like any art form, it gets better with practice.

Emmeline Pankhurst knew her audience and she spoke their language. She drove her message of injustice home using a variety of speech techniques. But she worked them seamlessly into her speech.

First, she named the problem or theme. Tell your audience where you’re going with your speech.

She also drove her point home in different ways using analogies, metaphors, and comparisons. Pankhurst was a master at relating to her audience by including personal anecdotes. This humanised her. It also served to help her audience connect with her and subsequently her message.

Rhetorical questions and repetition are also great devices to ensure that your audience gets the message. And thinks about it long after you’re gone.

This speech is over a century old. But there’s a reason why it’s still relevant. Beyond its message is a passionate orator who wields words with startling accuracy.

So, the next time you need inspiration for your next speech, give this one a listen.

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