Scan barcode
A review by girlglitch
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft
3.0
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is an incredibly important, watershed work of feminism - the female declaration of independence. Wollstonecraft wishes for women to have power over themselves, and essentially argues that an educated woman, with the power of reason, is a far more productive member of society. "Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience."
Of course, you have to read this with your historical context glasses on. Vindication was written in 1792, and as such Wollstonecraft's arguments are often steeped in archaic ideals of virtue and the sacred primacy of marriage. Numerous tangents discussing Christian morality and an extensive deconstruction of Rousseau's work often distract from her main premise.
But a shocking amount of her words are still relevant. Her calls for 'a revolution in female manners' can still be heard today, and we still have a way to go till women are truly freed from their gilt cages.
Of course, you have to read this with your historical context glasses on. Vindication was written in 1792, and as such Wollstonecraft's arguments are often steeped in archaic ideals of virtue and the sacred primacy of marriage. Numerous tangents discussing Christian morality and an extensive deconstruction of Rousseau's work often distract from her main premise.
But a shocking amount of her words are still relevant. Her calls for 'a revolution in female manners' can still be heard today, and we still have a way to go till women are truly freed from their gilt cages.