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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.
brisingr's review against another edition
3.0
idk man it feels good to know mary has my back from over 200 years ago
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 against another edition
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
andread's review against another edition
5.0
Cualquiera que me conozca sabrá que, desde hace apenas unos años, vivo enamorada de Mary Wollstonecraft. La pasión por su hija, Mary Shelley, me llevó a ella y a una maravillosa biografía que me dio pie a conocerla, entre un mar de páginas y a siglos de distancia, a fondo. Leer su Vindicación parecía el próximo paso, pero en la época en la que Mary y yo nos conocimos, yo tenía poco presupuesto para libros y solo pude conseguir una versión en inglés de segunda mano. La fortuna y el movimiento feminista en España, han traído a las bibliotecas de Castilla La Mancha la estantería violeta y, con ella, a Mary Wollstonecraft. Cuando vi el libro lo cogí de inmediato, necesitaba leer a Mary en español para poder entenderla mejor. La versión que yo he leído está editada por Bebi Fernández y, aunque estéticamente es preciosa, a mi gusto (que ni conozco a la editora ni tengo interés en sus comentarios) se hace muy pesada visualmente con tanta frasecita. Sin embargo, la traducción de Marta Lois González es una delicia. Es un texto, pese a la intención de Mary de hacerlo sencillo, pesado para las mentes actuales. Y, sin embargo, me he enganchado a sus páginas con mucha facilidad y me lo he bebido en unos pocos ratos. La visión de Mary del mundo no dicta mucho de las visiones que tenemos ahora y, aunque en algo hemos avanzado, deja una sensación agridulce el acabar uno de los textos pioneros en el feminismo sabiendo que muchos de los problemas que denuncia, seguimos teniéndolos. Sin embargo, he disfrutado tanto leyéndolo que me ha dejado el pecho lleno de calidez. Me ha acercado a Mary y casi parecía que estuviese a mi lado sentada en cada lectura, esperando a saber qué opinaba. Ay, Mary, ojalá supieras, pese a la marginalidad a la que te relegaron, lo mucho que has hecho.