My own story

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

34856

Title

My own story

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Emmeline Pankhurst chronicles her evolution from a child witnessing abolitionist fervor to a militant leader fighting for women's suffrage. This memoir details the brutal tactics employed by the British government, the suffering of activists, and the eventual shift in public opinion that secured political liberty for women.

Summary up to 500 words

Written in the summer of 1914 as Europe mobilized for war, Emmeline Pankhurst's autobiography stands as a testament to the militant struggle for women's enfranchisement. Born in Manchester to abolitionist parents, Pankhurst was shaped early by stories of slavery and the injustice of capital punishment, fostering a spirit of heroic sacrifice. Her journey led to the formation of the Women's Social and Political Union (W.S.P.U.), where she championed direct action over peaceful petition. The narrative vividly recounts the infamous 'Black Friday' of November 1910, where police brutality against peaceful deputations to Parliament sparked widespread outrage and numerous deaths among activists. Pankhurst details the government's desperate attempts to suppress the movement through starvation strikes, imprisonment, and legal threats against wealthy subscribers, only to find these measures backfired by galvanizing public support. The book highlights the resilience of women who faced violence and death without abandoning their cause. As the First World War looms, Pankhurst declares a truce, noting that women's essential contributions to the war effort and the inevitable cabinet changes suggest a future where militancy will no longer be necessary. Ultimately, the text argues that true peace and civilization require women's liberty in the councils of the world, framing the suffrage movement as a righteous battle that saved human life rather than harming it. Pankhurst contrasts the bloodshed of male militancy throughout history with the self-sacrifice of women, asserting that the struggle for full enfranchisement has not been abandoned but merely placed in abeyance until normal society resumes its functions. If the demand for liberty is not quickly granted, she warns that women will once more take up their arms.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Politics