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marieexplores's review against another edition
4.0
This was a difficult read for me. While I know Wollenstonecraft was a revolutionary in her time, inspiring the works of Austen, her daughter Mary Shelley, and so many others, the constant proclamation of "the weaker sex" and the racist language throughout challenged me. I cannot express how many times I wanted to throw my Kindle across the room in frustration. I understand that she is a product of her culture and time: I would never contest the radical nature of her philosophy given her context. But if I heard people referred to as Barbarians, exotics, or "members of the weaker sex" one more time, I was going to scream.
Bottom line: pivotal read given the historical context. Had to suppress my up-chuck reflex given my context.
Bottom line: pivotal read given the historical context. Had to suppress my up-chuck reflex given my context.
ermunleybooks's review against another edition
3.0
I like this book more for its message and impact on modern/period society than I do for the writing itself. Though the writing can be hard to follow at time, simply because of the period style, the ideas therein are phenomenal! Everyone should read this book, or at least bits of it, at some point in their life.
Message would get 5 stars, but, because the style is a bit difficult for some, I only give it 3 stars
Message would get 5 stars, but, because the style is a bit difficult for some, I only give it 3 stars
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
Written in 1792 Mary Wollstonecraft work is one of the first feminist writings and very much ahead of its time. It was an very interesting read and it give me a glimps on how life looked for women at the time.
katnissevergreen's review against another edition
3.0
",,,what were we created for? To remain it may be said, innocent; they mean in a state of childhood. - We might as well have never been born, unless it were necessary that we should be created to enable men to acquire the noble privilege of reason, the power of discerning good from evil, whilst we lie down in the dust from when we were taken, never to rise again."
"Pleasure prepares the fading wreath, and mixes the intoxicating cup; but the fruit which virtue gives, is the recompence of toil; and, gradually seen as it ripens, only affords calm satisfaction."
Wollstonecraft's main emphasis is on the necessity of education to improve/liberate women, as they will always be terrible (cunning, vain, etc.), if they don't have understanding, judgement and virtue gained from education. She also calls for a national, free school system that would educated boys and girls, rich and poor together, which exists to a certain extent (though less so the mixing of rich and poor) in many countries, though modern education, which focuses on memorization, drilling in information, is certainly not Wollstonecraft would have wanted, as she prioritized a civic, moral education, physical activity - as the physical and mental virtue complement each other - and more imaginative, innovative ways of teaching that don't rely on drilling, or lecturing.
Wollstonecraft's thoughts on what humans should aim themselves towards are also interesting, as these inform her argument for women's rights. She values the expansion of the mind and reason above all, seeing reason as like to god. And reason can only come from a good education, which produces judgement, reflection, understanding, modesty, virtue and of course reason in a person. Wollstonecraft spends time describing what she thinks each of these qualities ought to be in a person of true learning. And of course, she also details how she thinks these qualities are debased a society of wealth and sexual inequality, in which people blindly bow to prejudice and authority.
The book is disorganized and the writing confusing at times. It could have been shorter. Vindication reads very differently from modern feminist writings, as feminism would grow to write towards a theory of patriarchy and male supremacy, both historically and in present society, a theory which is not really present in this book, at least not much. Wollstonecraft is also pretty harsh to women as a group, which stems from her focus on how lack of education inculcates vice in women, and also her focus on primarily upper-class women (a contempt for which Simone de Beauvoir also expresses in The Second Sex). But I still think the writing is interesting, and worth reading, both as a significant text in the history of feminism, and for the value her insights can still hold. As said, it is also a philosophical text, putting forward of the view of society and what it ought to be/vlaue, so this is of interest as well.
Finally, though she tempers it at times, its sad to read how optimistic she is on education being this great force that can change things. I mean I agree with her but only to an extent. In particular, she thought educating boys and girls together could not help but to establish great fellow-feeling between them but alas...this doesn't seem to have happened. Oh well... More broadly, the way she imagined education, in terms of the method of teaching, and the value it ought to inspire, has not actually occurred so who knows, perhaps she may be proved more correct in this!
"Pleasure prepares the fading wreath, and mixes the intoxicating cup; but the fruit which virtue gives, is the recompence of toil; and, gradually seen as it ripens, only affords calm satisfaction."
Wollstonecraft's main emphasis is on the necessity of education to improve/liberate women, as they will always be terrible (cunning, vain, etc.), if they don't have understanding, judgement and virtue gained from education. She also calls for a national, free school system that would educated boys and girls, rich and poor together, which exists to a certain extent (though less so the mixing of rich and poor) in many countries, though modern education, which focuses on memorization, drilling in information, is certainly not Wollstonecraft would have wanted, as she prioritized a civic, moral education, physical activity - as the physical and mental virtue complement each other - and more imaginative, innovative ways of teaching that don't rely on drilling, or lecturing.
Wollstonecraft's thoughts on what humans should aim themselves towards are also interesting, as these inform her argument for women's rights. She values the expansion of the mind and reason above all, seeing reason as like to god. And reason can only come from a good education, which produces judgement, reflection, understanding, modesty, virtue and of course reason in a person. Wollstonecraft spends time describing what she thinks each of these qualities ought to be in a person of true learning. And of course, she also details how she thinks these qualities are debased a society of wealth and sexual inequality, in which people blindly bow to prejudice and authority.
The book is disorganized and the writing confusing at times. It could have been shorter. Vindication reads very differently from modern feminist writings, as feminism would grow to write towards a theory of patriarchy and male supremacy, both historically and in present society, a theory which is not really present in this book, at least not much. Wollstonecraft is also pretty harsh to women as a group, which stems from her focus on how lack of education inculcates vice in women, and also her focus on primarily upper-class women (a contempt for which Simone de Beauvoir also expresses in The Second Sex). But I still think the writing is interesting, and worth reading, both as a significant text in the history of feminism, and for the value her insights can still hold. As said, it is also a philosophical text, putting forward of the view of society and what it ought to be/vlaue, so this is of interest as well.
Finally, though she tempers it at times, its sad to read how optimistic she is on education being this great force that can change things. I mean I agree with her but only to an extent. In particular, she thought educating boys and girls together could not help but to establish great fellow-feeling between them but alas...this doesn't seem to have happened. Oh well... More broadly, the way she imagined education, in terms of the method of teaching, and the value it ought to inspire, has not actually occurred so who knows, perhaps she may be proved more correct in this!
cccookieedoughh's review against another edition
4.0
if i disregard the fact that its lowkey a mess, im just a wee bit in love with her myself. mary wollstonecraft would probably slap me if i called her cunning but thats entirely what she is. i literally cannot get enough of her backhanded ass compliments to talleyrand and just her sarcasm through the entire essay felt almost satire, but also also she kind of weaved her arguments not through an “equality” lense but through a ““allowing” women this will benefit you more than us tbh” very slay very slay indeed, although it was terrible to try and get through. istg i had to look up every other word, also reading these type of books when you arent forced to read them, like in school or whatever, makes them so much more interesting
giuliakyj's review against another edition
4.0
The historical context in which the Vindication was written cannot be ignored when reading the book. Mary Wollstonecraft herself, even if she had revolutionary thoughts for that time, unconsciously was highly influenced by a patriarchal society and many times the contemporary reader might disagree with her. Still, women's emancipation and education are two essential elements upon which her arguments are based.
To be written at the end of the 18th century, I find it brilliant and provocative, a fair (again, considering the historial period) critique of society. However, I think this shouldn't be the first reading for someone who wants to approach feminism; the topic should be studied from contemporary sources first, to have the means to identify the Vindication's weaknesses and mistakes.
It is also very interesting to see how feminism emerged and trace how it developed over the centuries.
Mary Wollstonecraft is a person I'd love to have a coffee with while talking about feminism. She gave me the feeling of being a clever and open-minded person who would gladly listen to your arguments to learn more about feminism, even if they are in contrast with her ideas. This is, at least, how it felt reading the Vindication.
To be written at the end of the 18th century, I find it brilliant and provocative, a fair (again, considering the historial period) critique of society. However, I think this shouldn't be the first reading for someone who wants to approach feminism; the topic should be studied from contemporary sources first, to have the means to identify the Vindication's weaknesses and mistakes.
It is also very interesting to see how feminism emerged and trace how it developed over the centuries.
Mary Wollstonecraft is a person I'd love to have a coffee with while talking about feminism. She gave me the feeling of being a clever and open-minded person who would gladly listen to your arguments to learn more about feminism, even if they are in contrast with her ideas. This is, at least, how it felt reading the Vindication.
caltho's review against another edition
i will have to reread, mmm
(also it does not take me this long to read it i was busy man)
(also it does not take me this long to read it i was busy man)