Primary sourceSpeech1747
The Speech of Polly Baker
Benjamin Franklin · 1747
A satirical speech written by Benjamin Franklin in 1747, imagining a woman's defense in court against charges of bearing children out of wedlock.
Franklin wrote this satirical speech, showcasing his early literary wit and interest in social and legal hypocrisy.
About this source
What it is
This is a satirical speech written by Benjamin Franklin in 1747. It is written as if spoken by a fictional woman, Polly Baker, defending herself in a New England court after being prosecuted multiple times for having children outside marriage.
Why it matters
The piece became famous as a sharp commentary on law, morality, and the double standards faced by women in colonial society. It shows Franklin's skill at using satire and invented voices to make serious points about justice and hypocrisy.
Look closer
- Why might Franklin have chosen to write in a woman's voice rather than argue directly himself?
- What does the speech suggest about how colonial law treated women compared to men?
- How does humor help make a serious argument more persuasive?
This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Benjamin Franklin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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