Friday 6 June 2014

A Vindication of the Rights of Women

Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792). 

This book is widely considered to be the founding work of feminism.



http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/425417.Vindication

Wollstonecraft's main argument is surrounding the fact that she believes that women had an inferior position within society. The main argument centres around women and education. Wollstonecraft supports her argument by stating that women have a 'neglected education' and therefore are 'rendered weak and wretched'. (Wollstonecraft, 1792)

Wollstonecraft feels strongly about that fact that women do not have the right opportunities to form their own Independence in regards to marriage and education.

Her displeasure at the teaching of women in beauty and not in education were only 'anxious to inspire love'.

Where marriage is concerned, Wollstonecraft states that men and women should marry for equal reasons and not for personal gain by stating 'nor will women ever fulfil the peculiar duties of their sex, till they become free, by being enabled to earn their own subsistence, independent of men' (Wollstonecraft, 1792).

 In regards to employment, Wollstonecraft reiterates the need for women to be better educated in order for women to gain better employment by stating that women 'who might have practised as physicians, regulated a farm, managed a shop and stood erect supported by their own industry' (Wollstonecraft, 1792).

At no point in the piece of writing does Wollstonecraft call for an uprising of power for women but it is clear in the tone and style of writing used that she expects women to be treated as equals and given the same rights as men.











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