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Sojourner Truth dedicated her life to the fight against slavery and the advocacy of equal rights for women. Her remarkable journey began in 1827 when she commenced speaking out about the horrors and inhumanity of slavery. Later, as an ardent supporter of suffrage, she also championed equal rights for women. One of her most iconic moments occurred in 1851 at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, where she delivered her famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman." Her life spanned the pivotal years of American slavery abolition, and she emerged as a leader and a symbol of the struggle for equal rights and freedom.
At birth, Truth was named Isabella and spent the first twenty-eight years of her life in slavery, a fate she inherited from her enslaved parents. It was only in 1826 that she experienced her first taste of freedom. However, it wasn't until 1843, at the age of forty-six, that she boldly declared, "Sojourner Truth is my name, because from this day I will walk in the light of His truth" (p.
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77). This act of self-naming marked a significant turning point in Truth's life, symbolizing her liberation from the shackles of her enslaved past.
The neo-analytic approach to personality posits that an individual's sense of self lies at the core of their personality. It emphasizes that the self grapples with internal emotions and drives as well as external societal demands. Additionally, this approach asserts that human nature is inherently positive and goal-oriented, and that personality development is influenced by society and culture, evolving throughout the lifespan.
To analyze Sojourner Truth's personality, we will delve into the concepts of Alfred Adler, a prominent neo-analytic theorist.
Adler's concept of humanity revolves around the idea that individuals are self-determinant, and their unique personalities are shaped by how they interpret their lives and experiences. People are ultimately responsible for their own personalities and possess the creative power to transform feelings of inadequacy into a final goal of either personal superiority or contributing to the success of society as a whole.
Adler believed that the central core of personality is the pursuit of superiority, striving towards an imaginary final goal. This goal, while abstract and devoid of objective existence, serves to unify personality and make all behavior comprehensible. According to Feist & Feist (2006), Adler argued that feelings of inferiority motivate individuals to strive for either a self-centered goal of personal superiority or an altruistic goal of success for humanity. This final goal acts as a compensatory mechanism, alleviating feelings of inferiority and driving individuals to seek either personal superiority or the betterment of society. Truth's life exemplifies this concept, as she endured twenty-eight years of slavery, a period marked by abuse and dehumanization. Despite her feelings of inferiority during this time, her response was to strive for success, not for personal gain, but for the welfare of all.
Throughout her life as a free woman, Sojourner Truth dedicated herself to the abolition of slavery and the pursuit of equal rights for all. During the American Civil War, she risked her life to collect and deliver supplies to black volunteer regiments and remained actively engaged in various political causes. Her involvement with the National Freedman's Relief Association was particularly noteworthy, where she tirelessly worked to improve the conditions and lives of African Americans. Her final campaign, albeit unsuccessful, aimed at implementing a land distribution program for former slaves.
Adler (1956) posited that those who strive for success, as opposed to self-centered superiority, possess a "sense of personal worth that is closely tied to their contributions to human society. Social progress holds greater importance for them than personal recognition" (Feist & Feist, 2006, p.72). Truth transcended her oppressed past and emerged as a selfless individual motivated not by personal gain but by the pursuit of success for all of humanity.
The Adlerian approach maintains that people's behavior and personality are shaped by their subjective perceptions, rather than objective reality. These subjective perceptions, or fictions, exert a powerful influence on individuals' lives, regardless of their veracity. An example of such a fiction is the belief in an omnipotent God that guides and shapes the lives and actions of many individuals. This belief was evident throughout Sojourner Truth's life.
Truth's parents instilled in her a profound faith in God, teaching her that "God is always with her, and she is never alone" (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.22). Throughout her life, she clung to this belief in an all-powerful God as a source of solace, particularly during her years of enslavement. Her faith also served as a guiding force in her decision-making and actions. Truth firmly believed that God was her true master. After eighteen years as a free woman, a chance encounter led to a pivotal moment of self-realization. When asked for her name, Truth realized that she had carried her slave-masters' names throughout her life. In that moment, she declared, "The only master I have now is God, and His name is Truth," giving herself the surname Truth (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.77).
Truth maintained a practice of meditation and deep prayer, during which she believed God communicated with her. In her public speeches, she often began by declaring her spiritual connection, saying, "Well, Children, I speak to God, and God speaks to me... I talk to God, and God talks to me" (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.82 and 117).
She sought spiritual guidance during challenging times, such as when she had recently escaped her former slave-master, Dumont, and faced threats to her children's safety. After the incident, she shared her experience, stating that "Jesus stopped me," and she felt a powerful force turning her around when she attempted to return to Dumont's farm. Truth viewed this event as a profound spiritual experience that solidified her resolve never to return to enslavement (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.41).
Another example of Truth's unwavering belief in God's support is evident in her fight to free her son and have him returned to her. She prayed for divine intervention, saying, "God... show those around me that you are my Helper" (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.43). With the assistance of Quaker abolitionists and a fair judge who ruled justly in her favor, her prayers were answered.
In the context of Adler's neo-analytic approach, the value of human activity must be evaluated based on social interest. Adler asserted that social interest is the innate human condition, binding society as a whole. According to Feist & Feist (2006), Adler contended that social interest is the only metric by which a person's worth should be judged. Healthy individuals, he argued, "strive for perfection for all people in an ideal community... are genuinely concerned about people and have a goal of success that encompasses the well-being of all people" (p.75 & 77).
Sojourner Truth exemplified this concept throughout her life. She consistently spoke out against slavery, campaigned for the emancipation of slaves, fought for suffrage, and advocated for equal human rights. She was a vocal critic of mistreatment and injustice, actively gathered and distributed donations of food and clothing, and offered her assistance in military wards and hospitals. Her tireless efforts did not go unnoticed, as in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln recognized her work and contributions at the White House.
Adler's theory also highlights the influence of culture and society on individuals, particularly the tendency to overemphasize the importance of masculinity, known as "masculine protest." Many societies perpetuate the belief that men are inherently superior to women, implicitly implying the inferiority of women. However, Adler firmly believed that women share the same physiological and psychological needs as men and desire "more or less the same things that men want" (Feist & Feist, 2006, p.85). This perspective aligns with feminist movements advocating for equal rights, including political, economic, and social rights, as well as equal opportunities for women.
Sojourner Truth's journey into advocating for women's rights began in 1850 when she attended the first national Women's Rights Convention in the United States. Inspired and motivated by the experience, she began speaking out passionately for "Equality before the law without distinction of sex or color" (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.106). From that point onwards, she became a vocal advocate for both the abolition of slavery and gender equality. In her iconic 1851 speech at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, Truth challenged gender discrimination, subordination, and shattered the illusion of women as the weaker sex. She boldly proclaimed, "That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have plowed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman?..." (McKissack & McKissack, 1992, p.112-114).
A person's lifestyle encompasses their daily activities while pursuing their goals. Adler believed that for a lifestyle to be truly effective, it must be driven by significant social interest, meaning the pursuit of a society that offers a better life for all. Those with a healthy and socially useful lifestyle express their social interest through their actions. Adler referred to a lifestyle without sufficient social interest as a "Mistaken Lifestyle" (Hergenhahn, 2009).
According to Feist & Feist (2006), Adler considered three intertwined social issues fundamental to an effective lifestyle: occupational tasks (choosing and pursuing a career that brings a sense of worth), societal tasks (building friendships and social networks), and love tasks (finding a suitable life partner).
Sojourner Truth's lifestyle exemplified all three of Adler's identified social issues:
Adler believed that each individual possesses the power to create their own lifestyle. In line with existentialist philosophy, he agreed that people are ultimately responsible for who they are and their behavior. He famously stated that people are their "own architect and can build either a useful or a useless lifestyle" (Feist & Feist, 2006, p.79). This creative power propels individuals towards a goal, whether in the direction of social interest or not. An individual's creative power empowers them to control their own life, determine their final goal, and contribute to the development of social interest.
Sojourner Truth's personality vividly demonstrated her optimal creative power, which enabled her to manifest an effective lifestyle. She successfully transcended the horrors of her enslavement and dedicated her life to striving for the betterment of all humanity. In Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Truth would be considered an actualized personality.
To summarize, our exploration of Sojourner Truth's life and personality through the lens of Alfred Adler's neo-analytic approach has unveiled a remarkable tapestry of resilience, determination, and social consciousness. Sojourner Truth, born into the shackles of slavery as Isabella, emerged as an enduring symbol of the human capacity for transformation and the unwavering pursuit of justice and equality.
Through the neo-analytic concepts of striving for superiority, social interest, and fictionalism, we have witnessed Truth's unyielding commitment to the abolition of slavery, the advancement of equal rights for women, and the cultivation of a society that values the well-being of all its members. Her life journey, from the depths of enslavement to her ultimate self-naming as Sojourner Truth, embodied the essence of Adler's belief that individuals possess the creative power to shape their own destiny.
Furthermore, our examination of Truth's dedication to social interest and her unapologetic challenge to gender discrimination underscored her role as a trailblazer in advocating for women's rights. Her iconic "Ain't I a Woman" speech remains a testament to her indomitable spirit and her ability to dispel societal illusions of female inferiority.
In exploring her lifestyle, we observed how Truth's actions aligned with Adler's principles of occupational tasks, societal tasks, and love tasks. She embraced a career dedicated to social justice, cultivated meaningful relationships, and found love amidst the challenges of her life.
Finally, our analysis of the concept of creative power affirmed that Truth's personality exemplified an actualized individual, one who harnessed her inner strength to manifest an effective lifestyle centered on social interest and the pursuit of a better world for all.
Sojourner Truth's enduring legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for change and the relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and social progress. Her life story continues to inspire and embolden generations to challenge oppression, champion social interest, and work towards a more equitable and inclusive society. In the rich tapestry of human history, Sojourner Truth stands as a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a brighter and more just future.
Sojourner Truth: A Neo-Analytic Perspective on Her Personality. (2017, Jan 04). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/personality-psychology-sojourner-truth-essay
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