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tregina's review against another edition
5.0
I think everyone should read this book. Everyone. Sometimes I reread it just to remind myself how fiercely this battle was being fought in the eighteenth century, and how hard we still have to fight. A little righteous fury goes a long way.
emeraldgarnet's review against another edition
1.0
This book should really be called A Vindication of the Rights of Middle Class Women.
Wollstonecraft clearly favours a middle class view of life, seemingly at the expense of working class women. She argues that middle class women spend time on needlework adorning already perfectly functional clothes and that these women would be better off paying "poor virtuous" women to sew for them so that they can instead develop their intellects through "gardening, experimental philosophy, and literature" (Ch. 4). Seemingly, Wollstonecraft's ideal world is one where middle class women can develop intellectually while working class women are merely employed in tasks too menial for middle class women.
Another issue is Wollstonecraft's frequent behaviour as a kind of devil's advocate. This technique was not all that convincing and kept bringing to mind the prospect that someone might take up Wollstonecraft's dare and 'prove' her wrong. For instance, Wollstonecraft argues for equal education for women and men and states that, "It follows then, I think, that from their infancy women should either be shut up like eastern princes, or educated in such a manner as to be able to think and act for themselves" (Ch. 3). Someone could easily go against Wollstonecraft's intentions and take her assertion as a dare to give women either an inferior education or no education at all.
Wollstonecraft has an unusual point of view on love and friendship, arguing that, "Friendship is a serious affection; the most sublime of all affections, because it is founded on principle, and cemented by time. The very reverse may be said of love. In a great degree, love and friendship cannot subsist in the same bosom; even when inspired by different objects they weaken or destroy each other, and for the same object can only be felt in succession. The vain fears and fond jealousies, the winds which fan the flame of love, when judiciously or artfully tempered, are both incompatible with the tender confidence and sincere respect of friendship" (Ch. 4). This view seems like settling.
Wollstonecraft clearly favours a middle class view of life, seemingly at the expense of working class women. She argues that middle class women spend time on needlework adorning already perfectly functional clothes and that these women would be better off paying "poor virtuous" women to sew for them so that they can instead develop their intellects through "gardening, experimental philosophy, and literature" (Ch. 4). Seemingly, Wollstonecraft's ideal world is one where middle class women can develop intellectually while working class women are merely employed in tasks too menial for middle class women.
Another issue is Wollstonecraft's frequent behaviour as a kind of devil's advocate. This technique was not all that convincing and kept bringing to mind the prospect that someone might take up Wollstonecraft's dare and 'prove' her wrong. For instance, Wollstonecraft argues for equal education for women and men and states that, "It follows then, I think, that from their infancy women should either be shut up like eastern princes, or educated in such a manner as to be able to think and act for themselves" (Ch. 3). Someone could easily go against Wollstonecraft's intentions and take her assertion as a dare to give women either an inferior education or no education at all.
Wollstonecraft has an unusual point of view on love and friendship, arguing that, "Friendship is a serious affection; the most sublime of all affections, because it is founded on principle, and cemented by time. The very reverse may be said of love. In a great degree, love and friendship cannot subsist in the same bosom; even when inspired by different objects they weaken or destroy each other, and for the same object can only be felt in succession. The vain fears and fond jealousies, the winds which fan the flame of love, when judiciously or artfully tempered, are both incompatible with the tender confidence and sincere respect of friendship" (Ch. 4). This view seems like settling.
4lbxrtoii's review against another edition
5.0
she presents a bold and thought-provoking critique of societal norms and expectations surrounding women. Drawing parallels with Enlightenment thinkers like Kant and Rousseau, Wollstonecraft diverges significantly, arguing that women are hindered in their development of critical thinking and reason due to societal pressures and the infantilization they face. She challenges the notion that women are inherently inferior or suited only for domestic roles, emphasizing the importance of intellectual and moral development for both women and society as a whole.
Throughout the book, Wollstonecraft highlights the systemic obstacles faced by women, from being taught to prioritize pleasing others over pursuing their own desires, to being confined to restrictive gender roles that limit their autonomy and agency. She advocates for women to reject passive obedience and strive for true virtue, asserting that a society where women are empowered to reason and make independent choices is ultimately more just and equitable. Wollstonecraft's work remains a seminal text in feminist philosophy, inspiring generations of thinkers to question and challenge the status quo in pursuit of gender equality and women's rights.
At the end of the day she's just a girl. But she was clearly a girl's girl <3
Throughout the book, Wollstonecraft highlights the systemic obstacles faced by women, from being taught to prioritize pleasing others over pursuing their own desires, to being confined to restrictive gender roles that limit their autonomy and agency. She advocates for women to reject passive obedience and strive for true virtue, asserting that a society where women are empowered to reason and make independent choices is ultimately more just and equitable. Wollstonecraft's work remains a seminal text in feminist philosophy, inspiring generations of thinkers to question and challenge the status quo in pursuit of gender equality and women's rights.
At the end of the day she's just a girl. But she was clearly a girl's girl <3
chloewool's review
3.0
Written in 1792, and the author is Mary Shelley's mum (!!). Really good book but I struggled to read some of it as it's so wordy